Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High, but Medium for timing of the clearance of the rain on Monday.
This evening forecast
Strengthening SW winds, lowering cloud and outbreaks of rain.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Very wet with a risk of flooding. Gale or storm force summit winds.
| 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) |
80% | 90% | 90% | 80% | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% |
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
55
|
SW
58
|
SW
56
|
SW
54
|
SW
58
|
S
59
|
S
59
|
S
58
|
| 600m |
SW
42
|
SW
44
|
SW
43
|
SW
41
|
SW
44
|
S
42
|
S
42
|
S
42
|
| 300m |
SW
14
|
SW
14
|
SW
14
|
S
14
|
S
15
|
S
15
|
S
15
|
S
14
|
| Valley |
SW
12
|
SW
13
|
SW
12
|
S
13
|
S
14
|
S
15
|
S
16
|
S
16
|
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 | 66 | 70 | 68 | 66 | 71 | 72 | 72 | 71 |
| 600m | 55 | 57 | 55 | 54 | 58 | 57 | 57 | 57 |
| 300m | 41 | 42 | 40 | 39 | 42 | 42 | 43 | 41 |
| Valley | 38 | 39 | 37 | 37 | 39 | 42 | 43 | 43 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| 600m |
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
| Valley |
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,600m
|
2,800m
|
2,800m
|
2,800m
|
2,900m
|
2,800m
|
2,600m
|
2,500m
|
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°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
| 600m |
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A very poor day over the Lake District with numerous hazards.
Weather
Heavy and persistent rain for much of the period with an increasing risk of flooding and very swollen water courses. Buffeting at height along with poor or very poor visibility.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Nil
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive low cloud base 200 to 500m. Visibility moderate to very poor.
Ground conditions
Date: Saturday 13 December Location: Helvellyn summit at 14:30. Temperature: plus 2.4degC. Maximum wind speed 61.8mph. Wind chill: minus 8.1degC. Average wind speed 52.1mph Full report: A challenging and deteriorating mountain forecast today but conditions remained generally dry throughout daylight hours with a strong SW wind whipping over the summits. Great to see plenty of well equipped walkers making an early start to avoid the worst of the weather. There is currently no snow on the Lake District fells apart from a few isolated patches around corrie rims and at the top of gullies. These shouldn't cause any issue for walkers. Conditions on Sunday are forecast to be extremely challenging with 70mph winds and torrential rain. Please be very conservative with your plans and make good mountain judgements.This is an automated email. If you need a response please email [email protected]
Mountain weather information
Weather
Further heavy and persistent rain overnight with a continuing flooding risk. The rain should turn lighter and patchy during the morning with some drier then clearer spells developing through the afternoon and into the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Nil becoming 30% in the afternoon and 60% in the evening.
Maximum wind speed expected
Turning West and soon easing 10 to 20mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 2 to 5 Celsius
- Valley Plus 6 to 10 Celsius
- Freezing level Above the summits
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive low cloud base 300 to 500m, tending to lift and break later in the day. Visibility moderate to very poor at first, improving during the day except in summit cloud.
Mountain weather information
Tue 16 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry and bright with some sunny or clear spells. Frost and valley fog or freezing fog possible. Light or moderate west or northwest winds at height. Freezing level well down early and late, but rising towards the summits by day.
Wed 17 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Lowering cloud with outbreaks of rain, heavy at times. South or southwest winds becoming strong to gale force at height.
Thu 18 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Further heavy and persistent rain possible, but confidence low. Summit gales also possible.
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.