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.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
Severe Chill Effect
Poor Visibility
Strong Sunlight
Mountain weather forecast
Sunshine and showers. Strong to gale winds gradually easing. Freezing level above summits.
06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
||||||
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
60% | 20% | 20% | 10% | <05% | 20% |
06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
900m |
SW
30
|
W
25
|
W
16
|
SW
11
|
S
7
|
SE
7
|
600m |
SW
26
|
W
21
|
W
16
|
SW
10
|
SW
7
|
SE
5
|
300m |
SW
10
|
W
10
|
W
8
|
SW
4
|
S
3
|
SE
2
|
Valley |
SW
9
|
W
10
|
W
9
|
SW
5
|
SE
2
|
E
3
|
06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
900m | 37 | 31 | 21 | 15 | 9 | 8 |
600m | 33 | 28 | 21 | 13 | 9 | 7 |
300m | 27 | 24 | 18 | 10 | 6 | 6 |
Valley | 23 | 22 | 18 | 10 | 5 | 5 |
06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
900m |
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
600m |
6°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
6°
|
300m |
7°
|
7°
|
9°
|
9°
|
7°
|
7°
|
Valley |
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
9°
|
Freezing Level |
1,500m
|
1,400m
|
1,300m
|
1,300m
|
1,300m
|
1,300m
|
06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
900m |
-2°
|
-3°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
600m |
0°
|
0°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
300m |
4°
|
4°
|
7°
|
8°
|
6°
|
6°
|
Valley |
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
8°
|
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 at first 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 places 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
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
Dull, overcast with periods of rain heavy at times through into mid-afternoon, wintry across highest peaks, with extensive hill fog. Southwest summit winds increasing strong to gale by midday. Freezing level above all peaks.
Fri 22 Mar
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
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.
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
The Lake District covers an area of 885 square miles with its highest point, Scafell Pike, standing at 978 metres.