A drystone wall leading up a hill in the Yorkshire Dales.
Mountain weather

Yorkshire Dales Mountain weather forecast table

Confidence

Medium for the detail of worst conditions.

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 Heavy Persistent Rain
Heavy and persistent rain can lead to drenched clothing and footwear with waterproofs often becoming soaked through, especially if accompanied by strong winds. This can lead to significant loss of body heat and an increased likelihood of hypothermia. Terrain may turn increasingly boggy underfoot while streams can flood and become impassable. There may also be a risk of flooding in valleys or glens. If there is snow cover, a heightened avalanche hazard is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.

hazard 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.
hazard Thunderstorms
Lightning is a significant mountain hazard which can result in serious injury or death. Mountain terrain often leaves one highly exposed to lightning strikes. Hail may give unpleasant conditions with torrential rain and localised flash flooding also possible, mainly in Summer months.

Mountain weather forecast

Largely cloudy with showers or longer spells of rain and summit snow into the day. Strong to gale force summit winds.

06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
Weather
(at 600m)
Heavy rain Light rain Sunny intervals Light shower (day) Heavy shower (day) Heavy shower (night)
Chance of precipitation
(at 600m)
90% 60% 20% 70% 80% 80%

Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
600m E
24
SE
20
S
17
SE
18
E
18
SE
13
300m E
15
SE
14
S
12
SE
14
E
13
SE
8
Valley E
13
SE
11
S
11
SE
13
E
12
SE
9
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
600m 32 28 24 27 26 20
300m 33 27 22 27 26 18
Valley 31 25 21 25 25 19

Altitude above mean sea level
06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
600m
300m
Valley
10°
Freezing Level
1,000m
1,000m
900m
1,000m
1,100m
1,100m

Altitude above mean sea level
06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
600m
-4°
-3°
-2°
-2°
-2°
300m
Valley

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Severe wind chill generally restricted to higher routes but still feeling cold at lower levels with frequent showers giving little time for conditions to dry into the latter afternoon.

Weather

Early rain and summit snow clearing north slowly to start the day with some brighter spells into the early afternoon. Cloud thickening into the latter afternoon once again however as strengthening winds bring frequent showers or longer periods of rain into the remainder of the day. These likely to turn heavy at times with the low risk of thunder. Hail is likely at low levels but sleet or snow likely restricted to above 800-900m.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

20% initially, becoming 90% by late morning before lowering to 60% into the late afternoon.

Low cloud and visibility

Widespread cloud above around 200-300m initially, this tending to lift and break into the morning but thickens once again through the latter afternoon to give widespread cloud above 600-700m. Visibility generally good but becoming increasingly moderate or poor in rain, very poor in any snow at height and within cloud.

Recent rainfall

Location: Malham
Altitude: 375m
Last 24 hoursLast 48 hoursLast 72 hours
5.4mm9.2mm18.8mm
Measurement date:

Rainfall data provided by the Environment Agency. The Met Office is not responsible for content provided by third parties and may remove this data without warning.

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mountain weather information

Weather

A day of brighter spells and showers with outbreaks building into the afternoon, bringing a risk of hail and thunder.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

75% for any given time but very low for extended clear periods.

Maximum wind speed expected

South or Southwest 25-30mph with gusts reaching 45mph across most exposed ridges and summits

Temperature

  • At 600m Plus 4 Celsius
  • Valley Plus 2 Celsius increasing 13 Celsius during the afternoon
  • Freezing level Above summits

Low cloud and visibility

Good or very good becoming moderate or poor in rain showers, very poor within cloud with bases occasionally down to 600m.

Mountain weather information

Sat 30 Mar

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Sunshine and some scattered showers, mostly light but some sharper ones developing for the afternoon. Fresh southwest winds easing light later. Freezing level above all summits.

Sun 31 Mar

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Dry, sunny start. Cloud building from mid-day with increasing chance of rain later. Light winds. Freezing level above all summits.

Mon 1 Apr

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Overcast with occasional rain, though most of this light. Freezing level above all summits. Winds light

Updated at:

Summit specific forecast

Mountain summit forecast map

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