Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for generally southeast flow persisting also for unsettled weather, but lowering for timing detail of worst of conditions.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Showers or longer periods of rain and summit snow, turning heavy at times. Moderate summit winds.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
30% | 20% | 80% | 90% | 90% | 80% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
SE
18
|
SE
22
|
E
26
|
SE
26
|
SE
28
|
SE
28
|
| 600m |
E
14
|
SE
16
|
SE
17
|
SE
18
|
SE
18
|
SE
21
|
| 300m |
E
4
|
SE
3
|
SE
7
|
SE
8
|
SE
6
|
SE
7
|
| Valley |
NE
2
|
E
3
|
E
6
|
E
7
|
E
6
|
E
7
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 22 | 25 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 35 |
| 600m | 20 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 30 |
| 300m | 13 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 |
| Valley | 10 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
1,300m
|
1,300m
|
1,300m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 600m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Difficult conditions in rain, extensive hill fog and from mid-levels a severe wind chill.
Weather
A cloudy to overcast day with frequent showers or longer periods of rain that turn heavy at times, particularly through the afternoon and evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10-20%
Low cloud and visibility
Good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor within cloud with bases quite extensive from 500m.
Ground conditions
Date: Friday 6 February Location: Helvellyn summit at 11:30 Temperature: minus 0.3C, Maximum wind speed 50.1mph, Wind chill: minus 11.1C, Average wind speed: 41.4mph. 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. Overnight snow settled down to 500m but was slowly thawing at this height throughout the day. This snow has been redistributed behind features, into sheltered locations and onto SW through NW aspects giving drifts up to calf deep at higher altitudes. Above 600m many paths are covered in verglas (black ice) and ice where the snow has been compressed beneath walkers feet. There was an abrupt transition to more serious winter conditions above 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 the soft new snow but the two layers are not well bonded. Spectacular rime feathers have continued to develop on exposed terrain and the snow pack. 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. Some classic gullies are in good condition although many of them are incomplete due to the unusual wind direction. Many paths are obscured beneath the snow and poor visibility gave challenging navigation. Goggles were also essential with the new snow being moved around on 50mph summit winds. 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. The freezing level is forecast to rise above the summits over the weekend giving a slow thaw but well consolidated winter conditions are usually fairly resilient and are expected to hang in there. Have fun :)
Mountain weather information
Weather
Rather cloudy with showers, wintry across highest summits. Outbreaks frequent at first, then dwindling for the afternoon as a few limited brighter spells appear. Summit winds fresh to strong at first.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10-20% becoming 30% for the afternoon
Maximum wind speed expected
South 20-25mph at first, easing gradually from mid-morning
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 2 Celsius
- Valley Plus 5 Celsius rising to 9 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level Above summits
Low cloud and visibility
Good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases quite extensive from 500m at first, before lifting and breaking somewhat during the afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Mon 9 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy and showery with snow across higher routes. Strong southeast summit winds developing later. Freezing level just above the summits.
Tue 10 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Periods of rain and summit snow, heavy at times. Strong southeast summit winds. Freezing level around 900-1000m.
Wed 11 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Periods of rain and summit snow, heavy at times. Southeast summit winds strong at first. Freezing level around 900m.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Loading map…
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.