Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for changeable weather for the next few days. Low for rainfall detail on a daily basis.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Cold with rain and higher summit snow in the morning, drier afternoon
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
40% | 40% | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% |
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
26
|
SE
23
|
SE
22
|
SE
19
|
SE
19
|
SE
21
|
| 600m |
SE
23
|
SE
18
|
SE
16
|
SE
14
|
SE
15
|
SE
15
|
| 300m |
SE
10
|
SE
7
|
SE
7
|
SE
6
|
SE
6
|
SE
6
|
| Valley |
SE
9
|
SE
7
|
SE
6
|
SE
5
|
SE
4
|
SE
5
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 30 | 28 | 27 | 24 | 23 | 25 |
| 600m | 30 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 22 |
| 300m | 24 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 |
| Valley | 23 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
1,100m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-7°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
| 600m |
-5°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
3°
|
5°
|
6°
|
4°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Nothing to add
Weather
Cloudy in the morning with a chance of some rain or higher summit wet snow. Drier weather developing in the afternoon and evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50%, best chance across the Northern Fells
Low cloud and visibility
Poor in widespread low cloud down 600 to 800 metres across the Southern Fells, this lifting and breaking somewhat through the afternoon. Northern Fells will see less in the way of summit cloud given some shelter.
Ground conditions
Date: Friday 16 January. Location: Helvellyn summit at 11:00. Temperature: minus 0.4 deg C. Maximum wind speed 31.6 mph. Wind chill: minus 8.2 deg C. Average wind speed: 22.1mph. Full report: Firm snow & verglas. Good winter conditions persist on the highest Lakeland fells, although these remain variable across the district. Helvellyn continues to hold its snowpack, with small but steady additions of fresh snow over recent days. The summit plateau currently carries a few centimetres of windblown snow, along with rime ice and widespread verglas (ice forming on windward rock surfaces and thin black ice coating paths and slabs). Friday began murky, with drizzle, light winds, and temperatures of around 2°C at 300m. Overnight fog was slow to clear, a theme likely to persist through the weekend. Frost heave (where earth, stones, and grit are lifted by freezing) and ice were present on the main path to Red Tarn from Greenside Mines, while uniform snow and ice cover was above 600m. This pattern is likely mirrored across other high fells. Poor visibility dominated the morning, dropping to around 15 metres on the summit of Helvellyn, making navigation disorientating and demanding care. With summit air temperatures only just below freezing, the significant snow cover on Striding Edge and Swirral Edge has been damp but subsequent refreezing has firmed conditions, giving secure footing with spikes. However, verglas has formed on exposed rock, and rime ice has built up on handholds, making them unreliable. As a result, an ice axe is strongly recommended. A thin crust was noted in the top centimetre of the snowpack, but avalanche hazard remains limited, given the ongoing freeze-thaw cycle. Overall conditions were better earlier in the day, improving slightly again during the afternoon. Wind strength increased markedly on the highest slopes, pushing wind chill values be expected on any exposed fell. Full shell clothing is essential, along with ample insulating layers. Carrying spare hats and gloves is advisable-both for warmth and in case items are lost in the wind. With a busy weekend expected role model best practice. Walkers and mountaineers should be equipped with either crampons or micro-spikes - crampons were in use today and be prepared for full winter conditions.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Dry in the morning but some rain and summit snow may spread north during the afternoon, although low confidence in this aspect of the forecast. Cold summit winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60%, best chance across the north of the Park
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeast 20 mph
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 3 Celsius
- Valley 0 rising to 6 Celsius
- Freezing level Above summits
Low cloud and visibility
Poor in areas of hill fog down to 700 metres across the Southern Fells through the day, but better visibility and less in the way of summit cloud across the Northern Fells
Mountain weather information
Mon 19 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
After a dry start rain will spread from the west through the morning. Drier and somewhat colder weather spreading from the west through the afternoon. Further rain and summit snow likely later in the evening.
Tue 20 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Remaining unsettled with further spells of rain.
Wed 21 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Little change, unsettled with further rain at times.
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.