Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for east to southeast flow persisting also for occasionally unsettled, but lowering for timing detail of worst of conditions.
This evening forecast
Cloudy with occasional light patchy rain and summit snow which will be focused across the east of the Park. Cold in the strong easterly summit winds. Freezing level 600-700m
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.
Gales
Gale force winds (gusts over 50mph) make walking difficult and strenuous with a potential to be blown over by gusts. There is often a marked increase in winds through cols or on exposed ridges and summits. Distances can take longer to cover and compass bearings become harder to follow accurately.
Mountain weather forecast
Rather cloudy with patchy snow and rain. Severe wind chill
| 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) |
40% | 40% | 40% | 30% | 20% | 20% | 40% | 40% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
E
41
|
E
38
|
E
44
|
E
43
|
E
43
|
E
41
|
E
32
|
E
28
|
| 600m |
E
24
|
E
25
|
E
27
|
E
27
|
E
27
|
E
26
|
E
24
|
E
19
|
| 300m |
E
6
|
E
7
|
E
12
|
E
16
|
E
14
|
E
14
|
E
15
|
E
11
|
| Valley |
NE
5
|
NE
5
|
NE
5
|
NE
7
|
NE
7
|
NE
12
|
NE
17
|
NE
14
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 50 | 47 | 53 | 54 | 54 | 51 | 42 | 38 |
| 600m | 31 | 33 | 36 | 37 | 37 | 35 | 34 | 28 |
| 300m | 25 | 27 | 33 | 36 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 26 |
| Valley | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 27 | 31 | 23 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Freezing Level |
700m
|
600m
|
500m
|
400m
|
400m
|
400m
|
400m
|
400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-12°
|
-12°
|
-13°
|
-14°
|
-14°
|
-14°
|
-13°
|
-10°
|
| 600m |
-7°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-8°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Be prepared for winter conditions with the risk of summit gales, snow and severe wind chill. Low cloud will make for some navigational difficulties, particularly in the east.
Weather
A rather cloudy day with patchy light snow and rain, focused across eastern areas of the Park. Best chance of seeing limited brighter spells will be towards Grasmoor during the late morning and early afternoon. Snow level around 300m.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
25% becoming 40% late morning and early afternoon
Low cloud and visibility
Moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases quite extensive from around 500m across eastern areas of the Park.
Ground conditions
Date: Monday 2 February Location: Helvellyn summit at 11:50. Full report: Consolidating Snowfields. With improved visibility today, it was possible to see further west from Helvellyn. As expected, there appears to be less snow towards Great Gable and the Scafells, due to their closer proximity to the Irish Sea. However, high terrain across the county remains affected by snow cover and frozen ground, and the advice below applies equally to all higher fells. Conditions on the high tops were relatively gentle across the National Park on Monday, with light winds (generally below 20 mph), no precipitation, and a cloud base sitting around 800m for much of the day. Although still changeable, the airflow remains predominantly easterly, and the freezing level is forecast to drop below summit height from Monday evening. Significant snowfields continue to blanket the summit area and broader massif of Helvellyn above 800m. On paths and well-used tracks this snow is firm and well consolidated, but it remains noticeably softer if 'off roading' it. Snow cover persists on all aspects of the mountain, meaning there is no approach that avoids a full winter outing to the summit something that may not be obvious from valley level. Strong navigation confidence and skills are essential. Micro-spikes or crampons are highly recommended. Without adequate traction, straying from paths will become necessary, increasing the risk of slips or more serious incidents. Access points onto the plateau for both Striding Edge and Swirral Edge still hold substantial snow, although ridge crests themselves are somewhat clearer. As freezing levels lower, expect the formation of verglas (black ice) on exposed rock, reinforcing the need for at least micro-spikes. An ice axe is also useful not only for security in snow, but to hook rock holds or dagger into frozen turf where appropriate. From the Swirls car park approach, a steep bank of snow dominates from just above the halfway point (around 650m, with continuous snow cover all the way to the summit. Although often regarded as a straightforward walk, this terrain remains hazardous in ascent and even more so on descent. Check local weather forecasts before journeying. Temperature: plus 0.4C, Maximum wind speed 18.3mph, Wind chill: minus 5.6C, Average wind speed: 13.8mph
Mountain weather information
Weather
Overcast start with periods of snow, below 300m rain. Outbreaks gradually turning lighter and more patchy from the south through the afternoon, as the snow level lifts to 600m. Continuing cold in the strong summit winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% becoming 30% late afternoon
Maximum wind speed expected
Easterly 20-30 mph with gusts reaching 40-45mph across more exposed ridges and summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 1 Celsius increasing plus 1 Celsius by late afternoon
- Valley Plus 2 rising to 8 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level 500m lifting 800m by late afternoon
Low cloud and visibility
Moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases extensive from around 500m across eastern areas of the Park.
Mountain weather information
Thu 5 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Periods of snow, below 500m rain, most persistent in the east. Strong easterly summit winds.
Fri 6 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Patchy snow, below 500m rain, focused in the east. Strong easterly summit winds.
Sat 7 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Occasional rain and summit snow, most persistent in the east. Moderate easterly summit winds.
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.