Mountain weather

Lake District Mountain weather forecast table

Confidence

High confidence for unsettled start, medium confidence in the more settled fare persisting Tuesday through Thursday.

Sunrise:
Sunset:

This evening forecast

Rather cloudy. Frequent showers with snow level 600-700m. Severe wind chill at height in fresh to strong summit winds.

Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.

hazard Severe Chill Effect
Wind significantly lowers the ‘feels-like’ temperature relative to the actual temperature, with even moderate winds significantly adding to the chilling effect. Strong winds can result in a severe and debilitating wind chill many degrees below the actual temperature. This effect will be enhanced in rain or wet snow. Without protection, prolonged exposure could result in frost nip or frostbite on exposed parts of the body and/or hypothermia.
hazard Poor Visibility
Poor visibility presents challenging route finding conditions. Visibility could be significantly less than 50 metres in all directions with few or no visual references, especially on featureless moors or plateaux. Distances become hard to judge and cliff or cornice edges can be difficult to recognise. These conditions require good navigational skills. There is a risk of white-out conditions when mist or fog is combined with extensive snow cover.

Mountain weather forecast

Showers. Rather cloudy. Fresh to strong summit winds.

Time 00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Heavy snow Light snow Light snow Light snow Light snow shower (day) Light snow Light snow Heavy snow
Chance of precipitation
(at 800m)
70% 80% 60% 50% 40% 70% 40% 80%

Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
Time 00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
900m W
26
W
26
W
24
W
22
W
21
W
22
NW
22
NW
25
600m W
19
W
21
W
19
W
18
W
17
W
18
NW
18
NW
18
300m W
7
W
9
W
9
W
9
W
9
NW
10
NW
9
NW
9
Valley W
9
W
10
W
10
W
10
W
10
W
9
NW
9
NW
10
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
Time 00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
900m 32 32 31 28 28 29 29 33
600m 26 30 27 25 25 26 27 27
300m 22 23 23 22 22 22 22 24
Valley 22 23 22 21 20 20 21 22

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
900m
-2°
-2°
-2°
-2°
-2°
-1°
-2°
-4°
600m
-1°
300m
Valley
Freezing Level
800m
700m
600m
700m
700m
700m
700m
500m

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
900m
-9°
-10°
-10°
-10°
-9°
-8°
-9°
-12°
600m
-6°
-6°
-7°
-6°
-5°
-5°
-5°
-8°
300m
-1°
-2°
-2°
-1°
-3°
Valley

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Winds 10-15mph stronger than the speeds above across most exposed ridges and summits. Difficult conditions at height in quite extensive hill fog, driving snow and a severe wind chill.

Weather

A rather cloudy day with quite frequent showers with a snow level around 500m by day. The afternoon will bring the best chance of seeing any limited winter brighter spells.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

10-20%

Low cloud and visibility

Visibility becoming moderate or poor in rain showers, very poor in snow showers and within cloud with bases quite extensive from 500m.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available. Date: Sunday 15 February Location: Helvellyn summit at 13:45 Full report: Fresh snow, thawing conditions Substantial fresh snowfall overnight on Saturday brought cover to all levels across the Lake District National Park. Precipitation persisted through much of Sunday, falling predominantly as rain at lower elevations, turning to sleet, heavy snow and occasional hail above 800m. Although summit temperatures only hovered around freezing, the snowpack remains widespread at all levels, slowly thawing and becoming increasingly saturated. From limited visibility, there appeared to be greater accumulations further east across the county. An ascent of Helvellyn from Glenridding quickly highlighted a marked shift in wind direction. For several weeks, a predominantly easterly airflow has loaded the Thirlmere (western) side of the range. Sunday's westerly winds reversed that pattern, distributing fresh snow onto the east facing headwalls and cliffs, particularly the final 100m of height on Swirral Edge, with less accumulation on Striding Edge. Stream beds and gullies clearly illustrated this cross-loading: deep deposits on one side, scoured ground on the other. The older firm snowpack is now buried in places but remains exposed where wind has stripped back the new cover. These transitions from soft, wet snow to hard snow-ice are easily underestimated and demand an immediate change in footwork and technique. Crampons, an ice axe, and the competence to use them remain essential for the Edges. It was encouraging to see well-equipped parties out today. However, summit conditions were severe with blizzard conditions and visibility frequently below 30m. A new cornice has begun forming above Red Tarn and, in poor visibility, presents a significant hazard. Elsewhere across the Helvellyn range and on many other high paths in the area micro-spikes at least are required for safe and efficient progress. Temperatures are forecast to fall sharply into midweek. The saturated snowpack observed today will refreeze, creating firm, potentially icy conditions underfoot. Once consolidated, any slip will be rapid and unforgiving. Do not underestimate the current Arctic feel on the fells. Full winter kit is essential: multiple insulating layers, waterproofs, spare hat and gloves, goggles, reliable navigation tools, emergency shelter, and a fully charged phone amongst other things. Winter conditions remain dynamic - prepare accordingly and travel with care. Temperature: plus 0.3C, Maximum wind speed 29.5mph, Wind chill: minus 7.6C, Average wind speed: 20.8mph

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mountain weather information

Weather

Perhaps a few scattered wintry showers at first, but otherwise dry with sunshine increasing for the afternoon. Moderate to fresh summit winds.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

70% becoming 90% plus for the afternoon

Maximum wind speed expected

North or northwest 15-20mph with gusts reaching 30moh across more exposed ridges and summits

Temperature

  • At 800m Minus 3-4 Celsius
  • Valley Minus 1 Celsius increasing 5 Celsius during the afternoon
  • Freezing level 200-300m

Low cloud and visibility

Visibility good becoming moderate or poor in showers, very poor within cloud with bases infrequently lowering 600m.

Mountain weather information

Wed 18 Feb

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Dry with some brighter spells. Strengthening easterly summit winds. Freezing level stays around 300m.

Thu 19 Feb

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mainly dry with bright and sunny spells increasing for the afternoon. Freezing level lifting to around 500m. Moderate to fresh south to southeast summit winds.

Fri 20 Feb

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Showers or longer periods of rain and initially summit snow. Strong south to southwest summit winds.

Updated at:

Summit specific forecast

Mountain summit forecast map

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