Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for unsettled conditions with rain spreading in from the south and west at times. Confidence in the day-to-day detail decreasing through the period so please keep updated on the forecast.
This evening forecast
Mainly dry with clear spells but some areas of mist and fog, mainly above 600m on southern and central fells. Fresh southerly winds on the tops. Freezing level above summits.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Dry start then outbreaks of rain and summit sleet. Cold and windy on the tops.
| 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) |
<05% | <05% | <05% | 10% | 70% | 90% | 90% | 90% |
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 |
SE
20
|
SE
17
|
SE
18
|
SE
21
|
SE
21
|
SE
16
|
SE
17
|
SE
17
|
| 600m |
SE
15
|
SE
14
|
SE
13
|
SE
16
|
SE
17
|
SE
13
|
SE
13
|
SE
13
|
| 300m |
SE
5
|
SE
6
|
SE
5
|
SE
6
|
SE
7
|
SE
5
|
SE
5
|
SE
4
|
| Valley |
E
4
|
E
5
|
E
5
|
E
5
|
SE
6
|
SE
3
|
SE
3
|
SE
3
|
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 | 24 | 21 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 20 | 21 | 21 |
| 600m | 22 | 19 | 18 | 23 | 24 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
| 300m | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 13 |
| Valley | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 600m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A cold day on the high fells with a significant wind chill, especially in rain and sleet in the afternoon and evening. Difficult navigation conditions as low cloud becomes more extensive through the afternoon.
Weather
Mainly dry overnight but some low cloud on the tops. Sunday starts off dry with patchy low cloud, best of any brightness over northern fells. Outbreaks of rain will soon spread northwards, becoming heavy at times with some wet snow above 800m.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% at first becoming 10% by afternoon, best chance in north.
Low cloud and visibility
Patchy cloud above 500m in the morning, mainly over southern and central fells. Cloud becoming extensive by afternoon, bases 500-700m, but higher at times over northern fells. Away from low cloud, visibility mainly good at first then often a few kilometres in rain or sleet.
Ground conditions
Date: Saturday 17 January. Location: Helvellyn summit at 14:30. Temperature: not taken. Maximum wind speed 18.4mph. Wind chill: not taken. Average wind speed: 12.5mph Full report: Mild, soggy snowpack. Conditions today were surprisingly mild, resulting in a wet and saturated snowpack right to the summits of the Lakeland fells. The freezing level rose unexpectedly above the highest summits overnight, dramatically altering conditions on footpaths A soft, slushy surface layer now sits on top of a firmer underlying base, meaning crampons proved far more effective than micro-spikes, though caution was still required. The only modest relief came from a relatively low wind chill of around -4°C on the summit. Under these temperatures, cornices were visibly creeping under their own weight and increasing the risk of larger full-depth avalanches as meltwater percolates through the snowpack to ground level. The ice-covered rocks noted yesterday had transitioned to black, wet rock. Walkers approaching from both the Thirlmere and Glenridding sides reported increased difficulty on steeper paths, where the combination of saturated snow and slope angle created a clear slide potential. Tomorrow's forecast suggests similar mild conditions, but walkers should be prepared for a rapid change if the freezing level drops by as little as 100 metres, which would quickly refreeze surface layers and significantly increase hazard. Full winter equipment remains strongly recommended, along with careful route choice and ongoing assessment of snow stability.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Low cloud with outbreaks of rain through the day and overnight. Some sleet above 900m with a significant wind chill on the tops.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Less than 10%.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeast 20mph gusts 30mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 2C.
- Valley Plus 6 or 7C.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud and fog above 400 or 500m, lifting to 700m at times over northern fells. Some good visibility at times below the cloud base.
Mountain weather information
Tue 20 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Low cloud with outbreaks of rain at first then becoming drier and brighter for a period. Further rain likely to arrive in the evening. Strong southerly winds with a severe wind chill on the tops. Freezing level above summits.
Wed 21 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Outbreaks of rain, heavy at times with sleet on high summits. Severe gale force southerly winds with severe wind chill on the tops.
Thu 22 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
It is expected to remain unsettled and very windy with further periods of rain. Severe gale force southerly 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.