
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for largely dry but cold weather on Sunday. Lower confidence for precipitation details on Monday and Tuesday but high for an eventual change to milder weather by Wednesday.
This evening forecast
Mostly dry but some patchy light rain, falling as snow above 500m. Cloud covering most of the fells above about 400 or 500m but some breaks across the northwest. Light east or southeast winds. Feeling cold with freezing level 600m.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
Severe Chill Effect
Poor Visibility
Mountain weather forecast
Mainly dry. Low cloud slowly lifting. Cold and windy.
00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | <05% | <05% | <05% |
00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
900m |
E
17
|
SE
18
|
SE
20
|
SE
25
|
SE
28
|
SE
25
|
SE
27
|
SE
28
|
600m |
SE
16
|
SE
18
|
SE
21
|
SE
27
|
SE
29
|
SE
26
|
SE
27
|
SE
29
|
300m |
E
7
|
E
6
|
SE
8
|
SE
12
|
SE
15
|
SE
14
|
SE
12
|
SE
13
|
Valley |
E
6
|
E
6
|
E
8
|
E
12
|
SE
14
|
SE
13
|
SE
11
|
SE
12
|
00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
900m | 21 | 25 | 27 | 36 | 40 | 36 | 38 | 40 |
600m | 22 | 26 | 30 | 38 | 42 | 38 | 40 | 43 |
300m | 12 | 14 | 17 | 23 | 28 | 25 | 24 | 26 |
Valley | 12 | 15 | 18 | 23 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 24 |
00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
900m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
600m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
300m |
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
0°
|
Valley |
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
Freezing Level |
600m
|
600m
|
500m
|
400m
|
500m
|
500m
|
400m
|
200m
|
00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
900m |
-7°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-10°
|
-11°
|
-11°
|
-11°
|
-12°
|
600m |
-6°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
-11°
|
300m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
Valley |
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
A largely dry day but feeling bitterly cold at height with a severe wind chill on the tops.
Weather
Mainly cloudy and dry overnight, a few clear breaks in northwest. The odd light wintry shower is possible on Sunday morning, otherwise mainly dry and cloudy. Bright spells developing in the afternoon then longer clear spells in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% in the morning becoming 70% in afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Areas of cloud and fog above 400m overnight and to start the morning but some breaks in the northwest. Cloud will slowly lift and break with just the highest summits affected in the afternoon before clearing by evening. Good visibility under the cloud base.
Ground conditions
Date: Saturday 15 February. Location: Helvellyn summit at 14:00. Full report: A strangely eerie day on Helvellyn with no wind, a blanket of low lying cloud giving limited visibility and only a 2 degree C difference between summit and valley. However there was a period of about an hour when the cloud dissipated and walkers were treated to extensive views and sunshine before the white room returned. Conditions were warmer than forecast and there was a slow thaw taking place at all levels. The neve (old refrozen snow) to be found above 700m on steep north through east aspects had softened up slightly but still gave good traction for those wearing crampons. The spectacular rime ice feathers which have been a feature of this week were also thawing slowly as was the new snow which has settled above 650m. Microspikes are strongly recommended for anyone venturing above the snowline on even the easiest paths. They were also reported to be working well on Striding Edge. However Swirral Edge is still in full winter condition and an ice axe and crampons are essential for a safe ascent or descent. Temperature: plus 0.9C, maximum wind speed 3.6mph, wind chill: plus 0.9C, average wind speed: 1.3mph.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Mainly dry overnight but a chance of some light snow for a time. A dry and cold day with bright spells then cloudier in the evening with a chance of sleet or snow towards midnight. Feeling bitterly cold with strong winds on the tops.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80%.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeast 25 to 35mph gusts 45mph. Severe wind chill.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 2 or 3C.
- Valley 0C rising to 4C.
- Freezing level Valley level, rising to 300m in afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Mainly very good visibility but poor in any snow overnight and late evening. Patchy cloud on the highest summits.
Mountain weather information
Tue 18 Feb
Cloudy with outbreaks of sleet or snow at first but soon dry with bright spells. Strong southerly winds giving a severe wind chill. Freezing level 300m.
Wed 19 Feb
Mainly dry and cloudy with patchy light rain or drizzle. Freezing level rising above summits as milder conditions set in. Strong southerly winds on the tops.
Thu 20 Feb
Mild with occasional rain or drizzle. Strong to gale force southwest winds.
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.