Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for Monday and much of Tuesday, but a few hours uncertainty in timing of lower cloud Tuesday evening or night. Moderate for the rest of the week, with main uncertainties around extent of any cloud breaks, and wind strength across the Fell tops.
This evening forecast
A cloudy but dry evening and night, but cloud bases above the summits. Light west or northwest winds.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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
Dry with sunny intervals. Clearing skies in the evening.
| 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% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% |
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 |
N
6
|
NE
7
|
NE
10
|
N
11
|
NW
10
|
NW
13
|
NW
15
|
NW
14
|
| 600m |
NW
5
|
NE
5
|
NE
6
|
N
7
|
NW
9
|
NW
11
|
NW
12
|
NW
11
|
| 300m |
NW
2
|
N
2
|
N
2
|
N
3
|
NW
6
|
NW
7
|
NW
6
|
NW
5
|
| Valley |
N
2
|
NE
2
|
NE
2
|
N
1
|
NW
5
|
NW
7
|
NW
6
|
NW
5
|
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 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 19 |
| 600m | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
| 300m | 5 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
| Valley | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| 600m |
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
7°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
11°
|
9°
|
| Valley |
12°
|
11°
|
11°
|
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
13°
|
12°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,700m
|
2,500m
|
2,100m
|
1,700m
|
1,600m
|
1,700m
|
1,600m
|
1,600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
6°
|
6°
|
4°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
10°
|
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
8°
|
| Valley |
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
13°
|
13°
|
13°
|
12°
|
11°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
Dry but cloudy through the early hours and to start the day. Sunny spells soon developing, improving in the afternoon. Largely clear skies in the evening and overnight.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
100%, cloud bases above the summits.
Ground conditions
No recent ground conditions report available.
Visibility
Good, 20-30 kilometres in the morning, improving in the afternoon.
Meteorologist's view
Moderate UV levels in sunny spells.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Chilly under clear skies in the early hours, perhaps some patchy fog in the valleys around dawn, but soon dispersing. Then dry with sunny intervals. Cloud increasing through the afternoon and evening. A little patchy drizzle in the west overnight.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
90%, cloud generally above the summits, perhaps a few patches lowering to 700-900m at times in the afternoon. More extensive cloud down to 600m may spread in from the north early in the night.
Maximum wind speed expected
Northwest 15-20 mph across the summits, decreasing 10 mph in the evening.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 5 Celsius rising to 9 Celsius.
- Valley Plus 3 Celsius rising to 18 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above the summits.
Visibility
Very good.
Mountain weather information
Wednesday 18 September
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather dull with low cloud and some patchy drizzle, mainly across western and central Fells, likely to turn dry later but remain cloudy. Light westerly winds.
Thursday 19 September
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly dry but cloudy, perhaps a few bright or sunny spells across eastern Fells. Light westerly winds.
Friday 20 September
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly dry, a chance of some sunny spells. Westerly winds likely to turn southerly and strengthen through the day.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
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.
Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England. From its summit, the view spans from the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland to Snowdonia in Wales. The Lake District also contains the deepest and longest lakes in England; Wastwater and Windermere.
Much smaller than its Scottish counterparts, but no less breathtaking, is the Lake District National Park. While unarguably most famous for the lakes and waters from which it took its name, the National Park certainly has plenty to offer climbers as well. Not only that, special routes have been created (known as Miles Without Stiles) to offer more laid back, moderate walks.
Those looking for a challenge are suitably catered for with the Lakeland Fells, as made famous by rambler and cartographer Alfred Wainwright. These include some of the highest peaks in England: Scafell Pike (978 metres), Scafell (965 metres), Helvellyn (951 metres) and Skiddaw (931 metres).