Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for a severely cold spell for the Lake District for the first days of 2026, full winter conditions can be expected in the Fells. Uncertainties in amount of wintry showers and strength of wind details for each day.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
A very cold day out on the fells, otherwise some bright or sunny spells and remaining dry.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
<05% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
NE
24
|
NE
19
|
NE
14
|
NE
15
|
NE
13
|
NE
8
|
| 600m |
NE
14
|
NE
13
|
NE
9
|
NE
10
|
NE
8
|
NE
7
|
| 300m |
NE
5
|
NE
5
|
N
4
|
N
3
|
N
4
|
N
4
|
| Valley |
NE
8
|
NE
8
|
NE
7
|
N
7
|
NE
8
|
N
6
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 27 | 22 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 10 |
| 600m | 18 | 18 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 10 |
| 300m | 18 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 |
| Valley | 19 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 8 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
3°
|
3°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| Freezing Level |
400m
|
300m
|
500m
|
400m
|
300m
|
200m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-9°
|
-9°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-6°
|
| 600m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
| Valley |
0°
|
0°
|
2°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
The main hazard on the fells will be the effects of the cold at height and the added effect of the northeasterly winds. Prepare for very cold conditions.
Weather
Tuesday will be a dry and bright day with sunny spells throughout the day, any early morning mist will soon clear. Feeling very cold with the sunshine adding very little warmth, a severe wind chill is expected and this will be bitterly cold on the fell tops.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
95%, a few early morning patches of cloud.
Low cloud and visibility
Any cloud will be well above summits leaving a clear day with far reaching views from the hills, visibility will be very good, perhaps dipping moderate in any morning mist.
Ground conditions
Date: Monday 29 December 2025. Location: Blencathra summit at 12:45 Full report: A slightly warmer but overcast day across the Lake District today. It was still feeling wintery above the cloudline at 700m where there is a good covering of rime where the cold damp airstream is freezing onto any exposed surfaces. Below this altitude a slow thaw is taking place although there are plenty of patches of water ice, pipcrake crystals and frozen terrain hanging in there thanks to a bitter east wind that was giving nearly minus -11 C of windchill. Generally the grip underfoot is good, however there have been a number of mountain rescue call outs in the last few days for simple slips so carrying microspikes in the current conditions would be a very sensible addition to your walking kit. Sunset is at 3.56pm so don't forget the headtorch. Temperature: minus 1.9 C, Maximum wind speed 21.1 mph, Wind chill: minus 10.7 C, Average wind speed: 18.9 mph
Mountain weather information
Weather
the last day of the year will be another very cold one with some sunny spells but also dull at times as cloud gathers in the afternoon. Strong northwesterly winds will significantly add to the cold effect.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80% some cloud forming around the tops in the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Northwesterly 20-25mph with gusts 30-35mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 5 rising to Minus 1 Celsius.
- Valley Minus 4 rising to Plus 3 Celsius.
- Freezing level 200m rising to 600m.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud mostly above the summits in the morning but patchy or scattered low cloud will form in the afternoon near fell tops, reducing visibility for a time.
Mountain weather information
Thu 1 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A bitterly cold day with strong northwesterly winds, possible gales above 500m, some wintry showers are possible but also some brighter spells. Snow accumulations are likely. Freezing level 400m falling to surface level.
Fri 2 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Remaining very cold with some bright or sunny spells and a severe wind chill in strong northwesterly winds. Freezing level at surface level.
Sat 3 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Freezing conditions continue with severe wind chill in the northerly winds, risk of wintry showers. Freezing level at surface level.
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.