Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for unsettled weather to continue into early next week. Low for precipitation detail on a daily basis.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
Gales
Gale force winds (gusts over 50mph) make walking difficult and strenuous with a potential to be blown over by gusts. There is often a marked increase in winds through cols or on exposed ridges and summits. Distances can take longer to cover and compass bearings become harder to follow accurately.
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.
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.
Blizzards
Blizzards and whiteouts present challenging and serious conditions due to a combination of falling or blowing snow, strong winds and cold temperatures. They can be highly disorientating, often resulting in near-zero visibility with limited or no visual references and no distinction between ground and sky. Cliff edges and cornices may not be apparent, even close up. These conditions require very good navigational skills.
Heavy Persistent Snow
Heavy snow can lead to rapid changes in underfoot conditions and paths may become treacherous or hidden. It also brings very poor visibility and often makes navigation much more challenging. When deep snow accumulates progress is often time consuming and strenuous, significantly affecting the distance one can travel on foot. Deep drifts can develop if snow is combined with strong winds. A heightened avalanche risk is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
Storm Force Winds
Storm force winds (gusts over 70mph) make walking very strenuous with any mobility virtually impossible over exposed ground. Where these conditions occur there is a high risk of being blown over and even standing may be impossible at times with a risk of being blown off one’s feet. Basic tasks such as using a map, eating, putting on extra clothing or communication become extremely difficult away from any shelter.
Mountain weather forecast
Cold and windy with rain and summit sleet and snow
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
50% | 70% | 50% | 50% | 60% | 60% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
E
50
|
E
49
|
E
46
|
E
42
|
E
41
|
E
35
|
| 600m |
E
28
|
E
25
|
E
25
|
E
24
|
E
24
|
E
20
|
| 300m |
E
11
|
E
9
|
E
9
|
E
9
|
E
7
|
E
7
|
| Valley |
NE
10
|
NE
11
|
NE
9
|
NE
9
|
NE
9
|
NE
8
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 57 | 56 | 54 | 50 | 49 | 41 |
| 600m | 35 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 28 |
| 300m | 34 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 24 |
| Valley | 32 | 31 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 21 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-3°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
500m
|
500m
|
700m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
1,200m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-14°
|
-13°
|
-11°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-9°
|
| 600m |
-8°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| Valley |
0°
|
1°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Be prepared for winter conditions on the highest tops, especially in the morning. Gale force winds combined with low temperatures will make for severe wind chill, as well as slow progress and a risk of being blown over.
Weather
Cloudy with spells of snow above 700 metres during the morning, and rain at lower levels. Any snow will become confined to the very highest tops by early afternoon, otherwise the rest of the day will be cloudy with rain at times. Western Fells most favoured for the driest weather in the afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40%, best chance across the Western Fells
Low cloud and visibility
Poor in snow with whiteout conditions at times on the higher tops. Areas of cloud down to 600 to 900 metres, lowest bases across the Southern and Eastern Fells. Western Fells may only see small amounts of summit cloud.
Ground conditions
Date: Thursday 5 February. Location: Helvellyn summit at 14:45. Temperature: minus 1.7C. Maximum wind speed 59.2mph. Wind chill: minus 13.5C. Average wind speed: 45.8mph. Full report: The high Lake District fells are currently in full winter condition requiring winter mountaineering skills and equipment for a safe and enjoyable adventure. Interestingly the National Park has now been affected by an easterly airstream for the last 3 weeks resulting in an unusual distribution of snow. There was an abrupt transition to winter conditions above the freezing level at 750m. Wind scoured snow has consolidated giving hard and icy neve (snow ice) on which crampons give great traction but there is a serious risk of consequential slides if a simple slip is not immediately arrested with an ice axe. Any slide is likely to be very quick and violent with many runouts into exposed boulders and scree. On lee slopes the neve is covered with a few inches of new soft snow but was no less forgiving. Exposed rocks are covered in verglas (black ice) above 600m and rime ice feathers have continued to develop on exposed terrain and the snow pack. High humidity levels and cold temperatures meant the assessor spent most of the day encased in ice! Overnight snow down to 500m will continue to be redistributed onto westerly aspects before another challenging day on Friday with powerful winds and limited visibility. Crampons, an ice axe and the skills to use them should be essential for anyone venturing above the snow line. Striding and Swirral Edges are in full winter nick and give a brilliant grade I winter climb for suitably equipped and experienced mountaineers. Many classic gullies are in good condition although some of them are very lean due to the unusual wind direction. For winter walkers these winter conditions are arguably the best but most serious the National Park have experienced in the last few years. Please ensure you have the correct equipment, skills and experience for your planned adventure.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Chance of some occasional rain, otherwise variable cloud cover with a fair amount of dry weather through the day.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60%, best chance across the west of the Park
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeasterly 25 mph
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 3 Celsius
- Valley Plus 3 rising to 8 Celsius
- Freezing level Above the summits
Low cloud and visibility
Poor in areas of cloud down to 700 metres across Southern and Eastern Fells. Otherwise good visibility elsewhere with patchy cloud down to 800 metres.
Mountain weather information
Sun 8 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A cloudy day with some patchy light rain at times, otherwise generally dry.
Mon 9 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry and cloudy with the odd passing shower. Strengthening southeasterly winds will bring rain in the evening.
Tue 10 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Remaining unsettled with further spells of rain.
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.