Mountain weather

Lake District Mountain weather forecast table

Confidence

High for limited showers for Tuesday, then generally more unsettled from Wednesday, but lowering for detail of intensity and timing of worst of the weather.

Sunrise:
Sunset:

This evening forecast

Area of rain spreading from the west, turning heavy at times towards midnight. Southerly summit winds increasing gale force. Freezing level above all peaks.

Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.

hazard 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.
hazard 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.
hazard 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

Sunshine and showers. Strong to gale winds gradually easing. Freezing level above summits.

00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Heavy rain Heavy rain Light rain Cloudy Sunny intervals Sunny intervals Sunny intervals Cloudy
Chance of precipitation
(at 800m)
90% 70% 60% 20% 20% 10% <05% 20%

Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
900m S
48
S
44
SW
29
W
20
W
16
W
12
SW
6
E
6
600m S
35
SW
35
SW
25
W
17
W
15
W
10
SW
5
E
6
300m S
13
S
14
SW
11
W
10
W
8
W
6
W
2
NE
3
Valley S
15
S
16
SW
12
W
10
W
10
W
8
W
5
NE
4
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
900m 60 55 38 27 23 17 7 8
600m 48 48 34 25 21 15 7 8
300m 37 36 27 22 19 13 5 6
Valley 38 36 26 20 18 13 8 8

Altitude above mean sea level
00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
900m
600m
300m
Valley
10°
10°
Freezing Level
2,000m
1,700m
1,600m
1,300m
1,300m
1,200m
1,200m
1,200m

Altitude above mean sea level
00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
900m
-4°
-2°
-2°
-2°
-2°
600m
-1°
300m
Valley

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Best conditions expected through the afternoon, with some seasonal strength in the sunshine. Severe wind chill across higher peaks and early in the day.

Weather

Cloudy overnight with occasional rain, turning heavy at times, clearing around dawn. A day of bright and sunny spells and showers. Showers frequent early morning but otherwise light and well scattered, particularly from noon with many staying dry for the afternoon. Cloud building through evening bringing a chance of rain reaching from the south towards midnight.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

By day 20% becoming 70-80% from late morning, lowering for evening.

Low cloud and visibility

Good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor within cloud with bases quite extensive early from 600m, lifting and breaking from mid-morning, and finally thickening and lowering during the evening

Ground conditions

Date: Monday 18 March Location: Helvellyn summit at 15:00 Full report: Another mild day with a few showers but plenty of sunshine. The Lakeland fells and are essentially snow-free, apart from a few small patches that remain on steep north and east-facing slopes above 900m. These are found predominantly on Helvellyn and neighbouring fells and are not in areas that present any hazards to walkers. Despite today's mild temperatures, the wind chill was still well below freezing meaning it was a bit chilly to hang around and enjoy the views if you weren't correctly equipped. Full winter clothing (warm and waterproof) including hats and gloves, and equipment including a map, compass and headtorch are all essential. Temperature: plus 2.7C, Maximum wind speed 28.4mph, Wind chill: minus 4.8C, Average wind speed: 24.1mph

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mountain weather information

Weather

Overcast, wet start to the day with some heavier outbreaks, also sleety at times across highest summits. Erratically turning drier from the west from late morning and through the afternoon with the chance of some later brighter spells appearing.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

10% or less becoming 50% by late afternoon

Maximum wind speed expected

Variable 15mph or less

Temperature

  • At 800m Plus 2-3 Celsius
  • Valley Plus 4 Celsius increasing 13 Celsius for the afternoon
  • Freezing level Above all peaks

Low cloud and visibility

Good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor within cloud with bases extensive early from 600m, slowly lifting and breaking from the west through the day.

Mountain weather information

Thu 21 Mar

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Dull, overcast with periods of rain heavy at times through into mid-afternoon, wintry across highest peaks, with extensive fill fog. Southwest summit winds increasing strong to gale by midday. Freezing level above all peaks.

Fri 22 Mar

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Strong showery westerly flow. Outbreaks quite frequent, heavy at times and wintry across higher tops as the freezing level lowers to 800m.

Sat 23 Mar

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Showery west to northwest flow strong initially, easing a little later in the day. Outbreaks quite frequent, heavy at times and wintry across higher tops with freezing level around 800m.

Updated at:

Summit specific forecast

Mountain summit forecast map

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