Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Medium
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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.
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
Bright spells and scattered snow showers.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
30% | 50% | 50% | 40% | 30% | 20% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
N
31
|
N
27
|
N
18
|
N
16
|
NE
13
|
E
13
|
| 600m |
N
22
|
N
19
|
N
14
|
N
12
|
N
10
|
NE
8
|
| 300m |
N
8
|
N
8
|
N
7
|
N
6
|
N
5
|
NE
3
|
| Valley |
N
12
|
N
11
|
N
11
|
N
9
|
N
8
|
NE
5
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 36 | 32 | 22 | 19 | 16 | 15 |
| 600m | 28 | 25 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 11 |
| 300m | 23 | 22 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 9 |
| Valley | 30 | 28 | 21 | 18 | 16 | 9 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Freezing Level |
400m
|
300m
|
400m
|
400m
|
400m
|
400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-12°
|
-12°
|
-10°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
| 600m |
-8°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 300m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| Valley |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Nothing further to add.
Weather
Bright or clear spells with occasional snow showers, the snow showers most likely across the Eastern and Far Eastern Fells. Temporary blizzard conditions possible in any heavy snow showers at first.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70%
Low cloud and visibility
Occasional low cloud at times, mainly in association with showers, base 600m or less, but often scattered at or above the summits. Visibility very good falling very poor in snow showers.
Ground conditions
Date: Thursday 8 January. Location Helvellyn summit at 13:30. Temperature minus 3.2degC. Maximum wind speed 5.3mph. Wind chill minus 7.5degC. Average wind speed 4.5mph Full report: Full winter conditions prevail above 500m on the high Lake District summits Lots of low lying cloud and light winds gave an atmospheric day but those who reached the highest summits were rewarded with an inversion and spectacular views The recent snowfall is beginning to slowly consolidate at all levels although many areas, particularly lower altitudes, still consist of a breakable crust over soft snow. Rime is forming on the snowpack and rocks above 800m and paths are becoming icier where the snow is being compressed beneath walkers feet. Small cornices have formed above north through east aspects. Below the 500m snowline a slow thaw was taking place but there are still large areas of water ice on the paths to keep an eye on. Microspikes as a minimum are strongly recommended for anyone planning to go above the snow line and will significantly increase your enjoyment and safety. If in any doubt or planning on venturing on to steeper and more exposed terrain such as the Helvellyn Edges then an ice axe and crampons are essential. The new snow is slowly firming up and overlying rime and frozen terrain with the potential for a long tumbling slide if you fail to stop a simple slip immediately. For the climbers many of the mixed routes still looked to be in good condition with a rimed Viking Buttress receiving multiple ascents today. However the snow in the gullies is still unconsolidated and needs a couple of cycles of freeze thaw to come into condition. This is an automated email. If you need a response please email [email protected]
Mountain weather information
Weather
Starting bright, clear and cold, perhaps a few freezing fog patches in the valleys. Snow showers could feed into the west of the park during the day, but details around this uncertain.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80%
Maximum wind speed expected
South or South 10 to 20mph with a significant wind chill.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 2 to Minus 5 Celsius
- Valley Minus 4 rising to Plus 2 during the day.
- Freezing level All levels, rising to around 300m during the day.
Low cloud and visibility
Often nil significant, but extensive, base below 600m, in any snow showers. Visibility mostly very good, but very poor in any snow showers and freezing fog.
Mountain weather information
Sun 11 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A transition to much milder conditions, although a period of heavy snow possible at height along with blizzard condition before turning to outbreaks of heavy rain at all level. Gale or severe gale force southerly winds at time. Freeing level rising above the summits after a cold start.
Mon 12 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy or bright with occasional rain. Strong southwest winds at height.
Tue 13 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain. Strong southwest winds at height.
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.