Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for unsettled and changeable conditions during this period with potential for stormy conditions on Tuesday. Low confidence for wind and rain details from Tuesday.
This evening forecast
Cloudy with further showers, heavy at times. Strong westerly winds. Freezing level above summits.
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.
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.
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
Low cloud and rain arriving in the morning, clearing in evening. Windy, summit gales 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) |
40% | 40% | 20% | 10% | 90% | 90% | 40% | 30% |
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
29
|
SW
19
|
S
15
|
SE
21
|
SE
29
|
SE
39
|
SW
36
|
W
36
|
| 600m |
W
23
|
SW
15
|
S
13
|
SE
21
|
SE
25
|
SE
29
|
SW
30
|
W
30
|
| 300m |
W
10
|
SW
6
|
S
5
|
SE
8
|
SE
10
|
SE
10
|
SW
13
|
W
15
|
| Valley |
W
11
|
SW
7
|
S
6
|
SE
8
|
SE
10
|
SE
10
|
S
13
|
SW
15
|
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 | 35 | 23 | 18 | 26 | 36 | 48 | 47 | 49 |
| 600m | 30 | 20 | 18 | 30 | 35 | 41 | 42 | 44 |
| 300m | 24 | 16 | 13 | 21 | 26 | 30 | 32 | 35 |
| Valley | 24 | 16 | 14 | 19 | 24 | 27 | 29 | 31 |
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°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
3°
|
| 600m |
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| Valley |
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,600m
|
1,500m
|
1,400m
|
1,800m
|
2,200m
|
2,500m
|
1,900m
|
1,400m
|
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°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
5°
|
6°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Turning wet and windy with gusts of 50mph above 600m in the afternoon and evening. Arduous conditions with a chance of being blown off balance.
Weather
Cloudy overnight with showers dying out. Dry with some brightness at first but cloud and rain will soon spread northeast across all parts, turning heavy at times. Rain clearing soon after dark then clear spells and showers in the evening. Strong winds developing with summit gales in the afternoon and evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70% becoming Nil during the morning, then becoming 40% after dark.
Low cloud and visibility
Low cloud on the tops overnight clearing by early morning. Cloud and fog becoming extensive above 300 or 400m during the morning bringing difficult navigation conditions. Cloud lifting after dark but continuing to affect summits.
Ground conditions
Date: Saturday 6 December 2025 Location: Helvellyn summit at 11:55 Full report: Swollen streams & summits stripped of snow. Approaches to the car parks were marked by flooded fields and fast-running gills and becks (streams), all reflecting the recent heavy rainfall. Although it snowed overnight on Friday, the subsequent overnight rain rapidly transformed the new snow into slush. This was driven by a rise in temperature, with the freezing level sitting a few hundred metres above the highest Lakeland summits throughout the day. A mix of rain and drizzle persisted through the morning under 95% cloud cover, with only the occasional glimpse of blue sky over Ullswater. The cloud base sat at Red Tarn (720m), and the first remnants of wet snow appeared along the path towards Swirral Edge. As height was gained, these patches became increasingly frequent, developing into broad, unavoidable areas of wet snow. A firm boot-kick provided secure enough footing to continue upwards. The summit of Helvellyn has been largely stripped of snow, with only the occasional 20 cm deep drift, roughly tennis-court sized, remaining to walk through. Striding Edge is mostly free of snow, while the greatest accumulations of snow lie on the NNE-facing slopes below the exit of Swirral Edge, where careful footwork is required. Micro-spikes would be beneficial, and full winter clothing including hat and gloves remains essential. Notably, a few people turned back due to the poor underfoot conditions and weather, highlighting the continuing need for caution. Similar thawing conditions are likely on Sunday with heavy rain in the afternoon. Temperature: plus 2.8 C, Maximum wind speed 21 mph, Wind chill: minus 3.8 C, Average wind speed: 15.6 mph.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Clear or sunny spells with occasional bands of showers moving east, some heavy with a small chance of hail and thunder.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60%.
Maximum wind speed expected
South or Southwest 20 to 30mph with gusts 40 to 50mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 3 or 4C.
- Valley Plus 6C rising to 9C.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Occasional cloud above 500 or 600m, mainly as bands of showers move through. Mostly good visibility between showers.
Mountain weather information
Tue 9 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Very windy conditions with storm force winds likely for a time. A period of heavy rain followed by bright spells and showers. Freezing level above summits.
Wed 10 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright spells and showers. Very strong and gusty westerly winds with severe gales at height. Freezing level above summits.
Thu 11 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A window of drier and brighter weather with lighter winds is possible. Low confidence.
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.