Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for mainly dry and settled conditions but lower confidence for cloud details. Low confidence for timing of rain arriving from the northwest on Wednesday.
This evening forecast
Mostly cloudy evening with a few clear intervals across eastern fells. Areas of low cloud and fog above around 600m, mainly in the west. Feeling cold with fresh westerly winds on the tops.
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.
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
Mainly dry and cloudy. Cold and breezy with low cloud on the tops.
| 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% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% |
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 |
W
19
|
W
21
|
W
20
|
W
18
|
W
18
|
W
17
|
W
14
|
SW
12
|
| 600m |
W
14
|
W
16
|
W
16
|
W
15
|
W
15
|
W
14
|
W
12
|
SW
10
|
| 300m |
W
7
|
W
8
|
W
8
|
W
7
|
W
8
|
W
7
|
W
5
|
SW
4
|
| Valley |
W
7
|
W
6
|
W
8
|
W
7
|
W
8
|
W
7
|
W
6
|
SW
4
|
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 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 17 | 15 |
| 600m | 21 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 14 |
| 300m | 17 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 11 |
| Valley | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 10 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
900m
|
900m
|
1,000m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
1,100m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-7°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Feeling cold on the tops, especially in the damp conditions up in the cloud. Valley temperatures close to freezing at first in the east under any clear breaks.
Weather
Mainly cloudy overnight, patchy frost in the east under any clear breaks. Cloudy across most fells but the odd bright spell is possible, mainly to the east of Helvellyn and Ambleside. Staying largely dry except for a few spots of rain but amounting to very little. Staying cloudy in the evening preventing a frost.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
20% in west, 40% in east.
Visibility
Areas of low cloud and fog above 400 or 500m, most persistent across western and central fells giving navigational difficulties. Patchier cloud across eastern fells with higher slopes clearing at times. Mostly good visibility away from low cloud.
Ground conditions
No recent ground conditions report available.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Mostly cloudy again and largely dry. A little light rain is possible, falling as snow above 700m, but amounts very small. Some brighter intervals, mainly in the east. Feeling cold at height.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
20% in west, 40% in east.
Maximum wind speed expected
West or Southwest 15 to 20mph, gusting 30mph on high ridges and summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 1 Celsius, falling to Minus 1 Celsius.
- Valley Plus 3 Celsius rising to 7 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above summits overnight, falling to 800m in morning.
Visibility
Areas of low cloud and fog above 500m, most persistent across western and central fells giving navigational difficulties. Patchier cloud across eastern fells with higher slopes clearing at times. Mostly good visibility away from low cloud.
Mountain weather information
Monday 24 January
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with the odd spot of rain and summit snow. A little brightness, mainly in the east. Light southwesterly winds. Freezing level just above summits.
Tuesday 25 January
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with the odd spot of rain and summit snow. A little brightness, mainly in the east. Light southwesterly winds. Freezing level 900m.
Wednesday 26 January
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Expected to remain largely cloudy. Strengthening southwesterly winds with a chance of more persistent rain and summit snow late in the day.
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).