Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Medium for changeable conditions, lower for daily detail.
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.
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.
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.
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
A very mixed day with several bands of rain or showers and some limited brightness. A wet and windy evening.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
20% | 20% | 50% | 80% | 60% | 70% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
S
29
|
S
31
|
S
33
|
SW
28
|
S
30
|
SE
32
|
| 600m |
S
25
|
S
27
|
S
27
|
SW
24
|
S
25
|
SE
26
|
| 300m |
S
10
|
S
13
|
S
14
|
SW
12
|
S
12
|
SE
11
|
| Valley |
S
8
|
S
11
|
S
11
|
SW
11
|
S
11
|
SE
10
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 35 | 37 | 43 | 36 | 39 | 42 |
| 600m | 31 | 35 | 38 | 33 | 34 | 36 |
| 300m | 25 | 30 | 35 | 30 | 31 | 30 |
| Valley | 22 | 26 | 32 | 28 | 29 | 27 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
5°
|
7°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
8°
|
10°
|
7°
|
7°
|
5°
|
| Valley |
9°
|
11°
|
11°
|
9°
|
9°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,300m
|
1,200m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-5°
|
-5°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
5°
|
7°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
Mainly cloudy with occasional rain or showers, though perhaps some sunny intervals on low ground in the morning. More persistent and heavy rain arrives in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
20% with summits mostly in the cloud, best chance of any clearances around mid to late morning.
Ground conditions
No recent ground conditions report available.
Visibility
Good at times away from cloud and showers but falling moderate or poor in occasional rain
Meteorologist's view
Summit gusts of 50mph are possible.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Mostly cloudy with occasional rain, and some summit sleet or wet snow. Feeling colder than recent days.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
30%. Frequent cloud above 600m.
Maximum wind speed expected
Variable overnight then Northwesterly 30-35mph gusts 50mph during the day.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 2 Celsius with a high wind chill
- Valley Plus 7 Celsius rising to Plus 13
- Freezing level Just above the summits
Visibility
Moderate to poor in rain becoming very good in the afternoon with a better clarity to the airstream than of late.
Mountain weather information
Sunday 28 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather cloudy with a little light rain in the afternoon and a moderate southerly breeze. Cloud bases mostly clear of the tops.
Monday 29 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with some hill fog, but dry, and brightening up later. A fresh southerly wind.
Tuesday 30 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Likely to be cloudy but dry, though with a frontal system lying close by to the west, this forecast may change nearer the time.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast map
Summit specific forecasts for Lake DistrictThe 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).