Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for very unsettled conditions. Medium on timings and cloud details.
This evening forecast
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Windy at height.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Rain, heavy at times. Windy with summit gales.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
70% | 40% | 70% | 70% | 80% | 80% | 70% | 70% |
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 |
S
29
|
S
32
|
S
31
|
S
34
|
S
32
|
S
29
|
SW
30
|
SW
32
|
| 600m |
S
24
|
S
25
|
S
26
|
S
27
|
S
27
|
S
24
|
SW
25
|
SW
24
|
| 300m |
S
7
|
S
9
|
S
11
|
S
11
|
S
12
|
S
12
|
SW
12
|
SW
12
|
| Valley |
S
9
|
S
10
|
S
11
|
S
12
|
S
11
|
S
13
|
SW
14
|
SW
15
|
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 | 35 | 39 | 39 | 42 | 42 | 38 | 40 | 42 |
| 600m | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 34 | 36 | 35 |
| 300m | 23 | 26 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 |
| Valley | 24 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 31 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,300m
|
1,300m
|
1,300m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,500m
|
1,600m
|
1,700m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-4°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Navigational difficulties expected at height due to low cloud.
Weather
Mostly cloudy overnight with occasional rain or showers. The rain becoming heavy and more persistent during the morning, then little change.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10%
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud, base around 600m, occasional or patches to 300m. Visibility moderate to very poor.
Ground conditions
Date: Thursday 7 December 2023 Location: Helvellyn summit at 13:00 Full report: The good news for those who dislike the snow is that there's a major thaw. The bad news for those who love wintry conditions is that there is a thaw at all levels - it was plus 1 degrees C and raining on the summit at 1pm. The thaw is especially rapid below 600m. Having said that, there was quite a variation of snow cover in the Lake District with, very roughly, north of Dunmail Raise having had very little settling below 550m; whereas to the south, and especially around Ambleside, the snow was and still remains, down to valley level. Around 2-3cms of fresh snow fell overnight settling above 600m; however, the snowpack at all levels is soft, very wet and thawing. The snow depth increases with height to reach an extremely rough average of around 10cm although the actual depth encountered varies considerably from just a couple of cms on windswept ground to drifts easily able to swallow a 60cm ice axe. The deepest drifts can be found in sheltered spots and hollows and on predominantly north facing aspects. The deep, soft, wet snow in such locations made for heavy going and a good work out! Very little hard snow was encountered today. The vast majority of ice remaining is on popular routes where the snow has been compacted and this will, obviously, take longer to thaw. Microspikes make the going far easier here - especially when encountering occasional patches of old compacted snow and ice hidden beneath fresh snow. Even on Swirral Edge today the snow was soft and wet meaning that microspikes were sufficient; however walkers attempting steep or exposed routes above the snowline, such as Swirral and Striding Edges, should carry crampons and ice axe (as the assessor did today) in case the wet snow freezes. Full winter clothing (waterproofs, extra warm layers, hat and gloves), mountain boots and equipment including a torch are all essential to safely, and enjoyably, roam the fells. The high fells still have a considerable covering of snow and this combined with low cloud can create near or actual whiteout conditions. Therefore a map and compass combined with excellent navigational skills are also essential. Temperature: Plus 0.9 C Maximum wind speed 32.9 mph Wind chill: minus 7.8 C Average wind speed: 25.4 mph
Mountain weather information
Weather
Further heavy and persistent rain, perhaps easing a little around the middle of the day. Turning wintry over the summits later in the day. River and streams expected to be full with flooding possible. Turning stormy at height, severe buffeting and the risk of being blow over.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20%
Maximum wind speed expected
Increasing West 50 to 60mph gusting 70 to 80mph in the afternoon.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 1 to 3 Celsius
- Valley Plus 5 to 8 Celsius
- Freezing level Above the summits, later 900m.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud, base around 600m, occasional or patches to 300m. Visibility moderate to very poor.
Mountain weather information
Sun 10 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Another wet and windy day, although some drier and clearer conditions expected overnight and early morning. Southeast turning southwest winds, strong to gale force at height.
Mon 11 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Drier and brighter with winds mainly moderate from the west around the middle of the day. Rain possible early and late in the day, wintry over the summits.
Tue 12 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Early rain and summit snow, becoming drier and brighter. Fresh to strong north or northeast winds at height, easing later. Freezing level around the summits.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
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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).