Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for the mobile nature of the westerly weather patterns, but lowering for the transitional timing detail.
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.
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.
Strong Sunlight
Harmful UV levels from sunlight increase with altitude giving a greater risk of sunburn and eye damage, even on some overcast days. On breezy days, the cooling effect of wind on exposed skin may disguise any feeling of sunburn until it is too late. If there is snow cover, glare increases the effect of UV rays especially on the eyes. It is advisable to wear sun block, protective clothing such as a long-sleeved top and hat and have good quality eye protection.
Mountain weather forecast
Patchy rain at first, but improving conditions for the afternoon. Fresh to strong summit winds.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
30% | 30% | 20% | 10% | 10% | 00% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
S
24
|
SE
26
|
S
31
|
S
29
|
SE
30
|
SE
34
|
| 600m |
S
26
|
SE
29
|
S
28
|
S
24
|
S
26
|
S
28
|
| 300m |
S
7
|
S
4
|
S
8
|
S
11
|
S
6
|
S
10
|
| Valley |
SE
1
|
SE
2
|
SE
6
|
S
9
|
SE
6
|
SE
8
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 29 | 32 | 38 | 35 | 37 | 41 |
| 600m | 34 | 41 | 39 | 32 | 38 | 40 |
| 300m | 21 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 27 |
| Valley | 16 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 24 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
6°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| 600m |
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
7°
|
9°
|
11°
|
9°
|
8°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
8°
|
10°
|
12°
|
11°
|
10°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,700m
|
1,800m
|
1,700m
|
1,700m
|
1,700m
|
1,600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
1°
|
0°
|
2°
|
4°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
7°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
8°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Severe wind chill effect confined to the higher peaks.
Weather
Cloudy overnight and for the start of Wednesday with patchy light rain at times. Cloud lifting and breaking from late morning, leading to a dry and sunny afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% becoming 75% during the afternoon
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor within cloud, this extensive from 600m at first before lifting and breaking for the afternoon.
Ground conditions
Date: Tuesday 3 March Location: Helvellyn summit at 13:30 Full report: Blue sky, little wind. The whole of the Lake District National Park experienced cloudless blue sky and sunshine from dawn till dusk. An amazing day for early March and enjoyed by many. There was a slight temperature inversion to start the day but this was not accompanied by a cloud inversion. Valleys were at freezing level with a rise to 2degs on Kirkstone Pass for example. Views and visibility were excellent right across the area to a middle distance of about 40miles with haze beyond. Yesterdays fine afternoon had dried both Striding and Swirral Edge rock scrambles. No verglass (black ice) appeared to have developed with only frost remaining through the day in high shaded areas. Swirral Edge has one patch of stubborn snow-ice near its top which can be easily avoided. Micro-spikes where not needed. Any remaining snow patches on Helvellyn are cosmetic from a distance and have been transformed to hard névé and to be avoided up close. One further patch was spied on Great End otherwise the fells look fairly free of snow now. Whilst any paths or tracks had dried up nicely open fell hollows remain very wet and boggy. Todays temperatures were in single figures and given the very light winds meant the wind chill (feeling on skin) was negligible. This is first time it has not felt freezing since before Christmas. However be aware of tomorrows increase in wind strength which will bring the wind chill back down into the minus figures. Whilst some folks opted for shorts today do not be caught out on Wednesday. Temperature: plus 6.7C, Maximum wind speed 3mph, Wind chill: plus 6.7C, Average wind speed: 0.9mph
Mountain weather information
Weather
Dry and bright start to the day. Cloud feeding from the west from late morning, with an area of occasionally heavy rain gradually crossing the area for the afternoon, which turns wintry across the highest peaks during the evening. Fresh summit winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70% becoming 10% for the afternoon
Maximum wind speed expected
South or southeast 20-25mph with gusts reaching 35mph across most exposed ridges and summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 5 Celsius
- Valley Plus 5 Celsius increasing 14 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level Above summits
Low cloud and visibility
Good or very good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor within cloud, this becoming extensive from 600m from the afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Fri 6 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Chance of some early patchy rain and summit sleet at first on an otherwise dry and occasionally bright day. Moderate winds. Freezing level 900m lifting above summits by late morning.
Sat 7 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Largely dry and sunny with light winds, but chance of patchy light rain developing late in the day. Freezing level above summits.
Sun 8 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with occasional rain, though most of this should be light. Light winds. Freezing level above summits.
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.