Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for unsettled low pressure conditions, lower confidence in timings of showers and rainfall amounts.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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
Gales on the fell tops and frequent heavy showers, showers easing in the afternoon.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
60% | 40% | 40% | 30% | 30% | 30% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
S
43
|
SW
39
|
SW
33
|
SW
34
|
SW
34
|
S
35
|
| 600m |
S
38
|
SW
29
|
SW
29
|
SW
29
|
SW
29
|
S
27
|
| 300m |
S
14
|
SW
12
|
SW
13
|
SW
13
|
SW
12
|
S
10
|
| Valley |
S
12
|
SW
10
|
SW
16
|
SW
15
|
SW
14
|
SW
13
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 52 | 48 | 44 | 44 | 45 | 46 |
| 600m | 49 | 39 | 41 | 41 | 42 | 39 |
| 300m | 37 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 32 |
| Valley | 34 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 30 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| Valley |
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,200m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
1,300m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
| 600m |
-3°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Gales above 500m on the fells for most of the day will make walking difficult, It will feel very chilly with a significant wind chill expected. Winds will be particularly gusty near passing showers.
Weather
A showery and windy day with the most frequent and heaviest showers in the morning, there is a risk of a thunderstorm during the morning too accompanied by gale force gusts on the fells. During the afternoon the showers will ease for a time and become less frequent with some bright or sunny spells. Showers returning in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
40% in the morning with many fell tops shrouded in cloud particularly during heavier showers when cloud bases may be around 500m. In the afternoon cloud will lift and break with an 80% chance of clear tops and good views.
Visibility
Generally visibility out with showers will be very good, dropping to moderate or poor in showers.
Ground conditions
No recent ground conditions report available.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A showery day with some brightness in between. There is the risk of a thundery shower, more so in the morning. Showers becoming lighter and less frequent in the afternoon. Gales on the fells around dawn but the southwesterly winds will ease during the day and become lighter later on.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
60%, cloud will lower and thicken during showers.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwesterly 20 mph with gusts 30 mph in the morning becoming northwesterly 10 mph later in the afternoon.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 3 Celsius.
- Valley Plus 6 rising to 10 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above the summits.
Visibility
Good outwith showers, becoming moderate or poor in showers.
Mountain weather information
Tuesday 27 October
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A dry and bright start to the day but becoming cloudy during the afternoon with rain arriving by early evening. Southerly winds strengthening during the afternoon.
Wednesday 28 October
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A blustery day with frequent showers expected, gales on the fell tops likely.
Thursday 29 October
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Further wind and rain are expected on Thursday morning, drier and brighter in the afternoon, strong westerly winds continuing.
Updated at:
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).