Lake District: latest weather

Saturday

Weather

Another mostly dry day with variable amounts of cloud and some spells of sunshine breaking through at times. However, difficult walking conditions, with significant snow and ice above 600 metres. There will also be a severe wind chill over summits, where winds will be strong and gusty.

Visibility

Very good visibility in general, but poor in hill fog.

Hill fog

Periods of hill fog above 800 metres, with patches at 500 metres.

Maximum winds above 500m

Northwest 25 top 30mph, with gusts to 40mph.

Temperature

Outlook

Sunday

Another mostly dry and bright day, with variable amounts of cloud and some spells of sunshine breaking through at times. Persistent hill fog will mostly be confined to summits above 800 metres, where it there will be a strong northwest wind and a severe wind chill. There will still be significant amounts of snow and ice over summits, thawing only slowly.

Monday

A rather cloudy day, the cloud thick enough to give some light rain or drizzle at times, which may fall as sleet or snow over higher summits. Strong winds at high levels will give a severe wind chill. Existing snow or ice will be thawing very slowly, but will make walking difficult in places.

Tuesday

Some patchy light rain or drizzle (hill snow) is possible at first, but it will be a mainly dry day. Rather cloudy initially, but it will become brighter with time, and some sunshine may break through at times later. Still quite a fresh breeze over summits at first. Existing snow and ice thawing only slowly.

FELLTOP CONDITIONS REPORT from Helvellyn at 1225pm on Thursday 11th March 2010.Below 600m, there is only snow or ice on paths in sheltered spots and what remains is often avoidable. Above 600m the frequency of the snow patches and the snow depth increases with height to reach over 80cm in drifts although the average depth is far less than this. At altitude, the higher daytime temperatures combined with lower overnight temperatures have only consolidated the top layer of snow. Where well trodden routes through the snow exist, such as the exits to both Striding and Swirral Edges, this is not such a problem. On virgin snow slopes, however, especially those facing east, there exists a loose layer of snow sandwiched between old, hard ice and the top layer. Such slopes remain unstable. The cornices that have formed along the summit ridges are showing signs of weakening (see the website picture) so please keep well back from the edge ignoring those footprints made by people walking on just ice over thin air! Full winter clothing, footwear and equipment are essential for anyone venturing out onto the fells as are crampons and ice axe for anyone going above the snowline. This is the case even if only attempting moderate walks as many well-used footpaths are covered in compacted snow and ice. Several Lakeland tarns have frozen and are covered in snow but are unsafe to walk on.Summit statistics at 1225pmTemperature : minus 1.7 c Wind chill : minus 7.7 c Max wind speed 17.3 mph Average wind speed 9.9 mph