Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for changeable weather to continue into the weekend. Low for detail of precipitation on a daily basis.
This evening forecast
Cloudy with patchy rain and strong southeasterly summit winds. Areas of cloud down to 600 metres, mainly across the east of the Park.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
Gales
Poor Visibility
Severe Chill Effect
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy, cold and windy with rain at times
| 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) |
50% | 50% | 70% | 80% | 50% | 50% | 40% | 50% |
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
SE
42
|
SE
41
|
SE
38
|
SE
36
|
SE
38
|
SE
36
|
E
40
|
E
39
|
| 600m |
SE
32
|
SE
31
|
SE
28
|
SE
24
|
SE
27
|
SE
28
|
SE
29
|
SE
30
|
| 300m |
SE
15
|
SE
15
|
SE
13
|
SE
12
|
SE
13
|
SE
15
|
SE
15
|
SE
15
|
| Valley |
SE
13
|
SE
13
|
SE
11
|
E
12
|
E
12
|
E
15
|
E
15
|
E
16
|
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 53 | 52 | 47 | 45 | 48 | 47 | 51 | 51 |
| 600m | 44 | 43 | 39 | 35 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 43 |
| 300m | 39 | 38 | 33 | 32 | 34 | 35 | 37 | 37 |
| Valley | 32 | 31 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 34 |
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,600m
|
1,600m
|
1,500m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Strong to gale southeasterly winds will make for slow progress and drenching conditions in rain.
Weather
A cloudy day with spells of rain, this most persistent during the morning. Some drier spells of weather likely in the afternoon for a time across Northern Fells.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50%, best chance across the northwest
Low cloud and visibility
Poor in areas of cloud down to 750 to 900 metres, this most extensive across Southern and Eastern Fells.
Ground conditions
Date: Wednesday 21 January. Location: Helvellyn summit at 10:20. Temperature: minus 0.2 degC. Maximum wind speed 27.2 mph. Wind chill: minus -8.9 degC. Average wind speed: 3.7 mph. Full report: Buffeting, fresh snow. A day of two halves, with bright spells and good visibility in the morning, followed by a deterioration through the afternoon as rain arrived and winds strengthened. Fresh snow has fallen above around 700m, clearly visible on Helvellyn and Skiddaw, while a bank of cloud sat over the western side of the National Park. Below 700m, footpaths were drying rapidly after overnight rain, and the ground felt soft underfoot, indicating a general thaw at lower levels. At mid-fell elevations, however, isolated streaks of ice remain on paths and, when lightly covered by fresh snow, were deceptively hard and slippery. Micro-spikes proved ideal above 800m, where new snow has fallen onto compacted old snow or bare rock. Approaching the summit plateau from Swirral Edge, the exit slopes now hold a fresh covering of fallen and windblown snow, obscuring the trenched steps from last weekend. Impressive cornices have formed along east through north to north-west-facing cove rims, with the greatest accumulations of transported snow on the upper scarp slopes of Water Crag (Brown Cove East). Extreme care is required near these features: they are fragile, and failure may occur well back from the visible edge due to the wind-slab snow feeding into them. On Swirral Edge, more old snow lies beneath the recent ~3cm fall than on Striding Edge, where fresh snow has mostly landed on rock. A plunged ice axe was used for security on Swirral Edge, and on Striding Edge it proved useful for hooking snow-covered rock holds. The side traverse path on Striding Edge was noticeably more insecure than the ridge crest, as deeper old snow remains banked there. Morning sunshine and excellent visibility were offset by a bitter wind chill, feeling closer to -10°C on exposed skin. With gusty, inconsistent airflow, strong blasts arrived unexpectedly. Eye protection (goggles or wraparound glasses) would be sensible in these conditions. Full winter clothing is essential, including waterproofs, warm insulating layers, hat and gloves. Additional equipment-such as microspikes or crampons and an ice axe on exposed ground are strongly recommended along with a map and compass, emergency shelter, first aid kit, energy food, and a hot flask as well as fully charged phone. Trainers are wholly inadequate for walking in these conditions.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Chance of rain for a time in the early hours. Otherwise it will be dry in the morning. Further rain, with some wet snow on the highest tops, likely to spread north through the afternoon but some uncertainty in the timing of this. Strong cold winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50%, best chance in the morning
Maximum wind speed expected
Easterly average speeds of 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 1 Celsius
- Valley Plus 2 rising to 6 Celsius
- Freezing level 900 metres
Low cloud and visibility
Good visibility with patchy cloud around 800 metres, this becoming more extensive as rain arrives later in the day
Mountain weather information
Sat 24 Jan
Mainly dry and cloudy, best of any cloud breaks across the fells across west of the Park.
Sun 25 Jan
Dry with some cloud breaks across western fells, rather cloudy in the east.
Mon 26 Jan
Little change. Dry and cloudy but some breaks in the cloud across the west.
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
The Lake District covers an area of 885 square miles with its highest point, Scafell Pike, standing at 978 metres.