Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Medium
This evening forecast
Cloudy or partly cloudy with the odd shower.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Heavy Persistent Rain
Heavy and persistent rain can lead to drenched clothing and footwear with waterproofs often becoming soaked through, especially if accompanied by strong winds. This can lead to significant loss of body heat and an increased likelihood of hypothermia. Terrain may turn increasingly boggy underfoot while streams can flood and become impassable. There may also be a risk of flooding in valleys or glens. If there is snow cover, a heightened avalanche hazard is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
Mountain weather forecast
Outbreak heavy rain. Drier later.
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
20% | 20% | 50% | 70% | 80% | 30% | 10% | 10% |
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 |
SW
33
|
SW
31
|
SW
26
|
SW
21
|
SW
22
|
NW
19
|
NW
20
|
W
21
|
| 600m |
SW
28
|
SW
27
|
SW
21
|
SW
19
|
SW
18
|
NW
15
|
NW
15
|
W
16
|
| 300m |
SW
11
|
SW
10
|
SW
8
|
S
7
|
SW
7
|
NW
8
|
NW
6
|
W
7
|
| Valley |
SW
10
|
SW
11
|
SW
8
|
S
7
|
W
8
|
NW
8
|
NW
7
|
W
8
|
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 | 40 | 38 | 32 | 26 | 28 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 600m | 37 | 36 | 28 | 25 | 24 | 20 | 21 | 23 |
| 300m | 28 | 27 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 |
| Valley | 26 | 26 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,200m
|
1,300m
|
1,200m
|
1,100m
|
1,000m
|
800m
|
700m
|
600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
-9°
|
-10°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Nothing further to add.
Weather
Some drier and clearer spells overnight with just the odd shower. Showers merging into longer outbreaks of rain in the morning, heavy and persistent at times and wintry over the summits. Becoming drier through the afternoon with the cloud beginning to lift and break, some clear spells in the evening with a frost possible.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% becoming 70% by dusk
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive low cloud, base 300 to 600m, lifting and breaking near or above the summits through the afternoon with some clear spells in the evening. Visibility moderate to very poor in rain and cloud, but mostly very good by the end of the afternoon.
Ground conditions
Date: Monday 12 January. Location: Helvellyn summit at 13:54. Temperature plus 3.2degC. Maximum wind speed 24.7mph. Wind chill minus 3.6degC. Average wind speed: 17.5mph Full report Todays summit temperatures on Helvellyn were above freezing, this coupled with further rain showers to summit level this morning saw further snow loss across the mountain. As a result of this thaw many watercourses and river crossing are starting to get quite a high flow. Whilst the temperatures have risen significantly the wind-chill remains below freezing and so full winter clothing, layers, hat and gloves are all still essential. The snow and ice conditions on the mountain are currently very changeable and quite hazardous in many places, due to such a long period of freezing conditions, ice having built at all levels, and then snowfall and deep accumulations, now followed by an abrupt thaw and rainfall, all routes up Helvellyn, and likely across all high Lakeland fells, require a lot of care. Descending Swirral Edge today for example consisted of sections of wet rock, stretches of deep wet snow overlying rock, lots of areas of partially melted water ice and compacted snow (from many feet having crossed and compressed it) as well as a mix of unfrozen and still frozen turf. This variety of changing conditions underfoot requires constant concentration and some good route choice, particularly where exposed. Despite the thaw, and snow free sections of the mountain, crampons or micro-spikes are still essential for safe and enjoyable travel, and an ice axe in hand will be very welcome on many routes or if actively seeking out steeper snow. The deep accumulations of now saturated snow, often lying directly on steep grass slopes such as the centre of the headwall area on Helvellyn, will be worth treating with care as there is a reasonable chance of 'full-depth' avalanches occurring in the current conditions. This is an automated email. If you need a response please email [email protected]
Mountain weather information
Weather
Mainly dry with bright or clear spells and a frost at first. However, lowering cloud and outbreaks of rain and snow in the evening
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80% falling 30% during the evening.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 10 to 15mph, becoming South 20 to 30mph in the evening.
Temperature
- At 800m Zero to Minus 2 Celsius
- Valley Minus 1 rising to Plus 3 Celsius
- Freezing level Most levels at first rising to around 600m.
Low cloud and visibility
No significant low cloud at first, becoming occasional or extensive, base 600m during the evening. Mostly very good, but becoming moderate to very poor during the evening.
Mountain weather information
Thu 15 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rain and snow clearing overnight. Cloudy or bright. Further rain and snow later. Moderate south or southwest winds, strengthening from the east or northeast later. Freezing level around 600m at times.
Fri 16 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rain and snow clearing overnight. Mainly dry and bright daylight hours. Fresh or strong west or northwest winds at height. Freezing level 600m or less at times.
Sat 17 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy or bright with wintry showers. Light winds. Freezing level well down at first, rising towards the summits.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
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Key
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
The Lake District covers an area of 885 square miles with its highest point, Scafell Pike, standing at 978 metres.