Mountain weather
Peak District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for the unsettled theme with strong winds and colder temperatures this week. Moderate for a drier weekend and any specific details this week.
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.
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.
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.
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
Cloudy and wet this morning. Sunny spells and heavy showers later.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
80% | 80% | 60% | 40% | 40% | 30% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
SE
12
|
S
19
|
SW
17
|
W
9
|
NE
4
|
N
12
|
| 300m |
SE
12
|
S
16
|
SW
15
|
S
9
|
E
3
|
NE
8
|
| Valley |
SE
8
|
S
11
|
SW
11
|
SW
6
|
NE
3
|
NE
9
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 16 | 24 | 24 | 13 | 6 | 17 |
| 300m | 19 | 22 | 22 | 13 | 6 | 15 |
| Valley | 17 | 21 | 22 | 10 | 7 | 19 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
9°
|
10°
|
9°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,300m
|
1,300m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
1,200m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
4°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
5°
|
6°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
4°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Gusts may reach up to 35mph later in the morning and early afternoon in exposed parts.
Weather
A cloudy start with persistent and occasionally heavy rain spreading northwards during the morning. Turning drier and brighter through the afternoon but with scattered showers, these occasionally heavy and continuing well into the evening with a chance of the odd rumble of thunder.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
80% initially. Becoming 60% with cloud down to 500-600m in the morning at times in heavy rain. Likely becoming 80% in the afternoon.
Visibility
Good initially but soon becoming poor or very poor in heavy rain and low cloud. Becoming good or very good in the afternoon, but moderate in or near any showers.
Recent rainfall
Location: Cat & Fiddle (Midway between Buxton and Macclesfield)
Altitude: 511m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0mm | 0.2mm | 0.6mm |
Measurement date:
Rainfall data provided by the Environment Agency. The Met Office is not responsible for content provided by third parties and may remove this data without warning.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Another cold day with increasing wind speeds, a chance of gales and severe wind chill. Any patchy rain or showers should clear overnight leaving a dry and bright day apart from a risk of an isolated shower on Friday afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
70% initially with some patchy cloud down to 400m, becoming generally 90% a couple of hours after dawn.
Maximum wind speed expected
Northwesterly 25mph gusting 35-45mph
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 2 Celsius becoming Plus 7 Celsius.
- Valley Plus 2 Celsius becoming Plus 11 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Visibility
Generally very good or excellent. Moderate or poor in any patchy rain or cloud.
Mountain weather information
Saturday 26 September
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry through Saturday with plenty of sunny spells. Winds will remain moderate throughout with low risk of gusts to gale force over summits. Cold.
Sunday 27 September
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Remaining dry with some sunny spells and perhaps some patchy cloud. Winds will become light later but it will remain cold with a touch of grass frost initially.
Monday 28 September
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry initially on Monday with some sunny spells. Becoming increasingly cloudy through the afternoon with rain probably arriving later. Remaining cold.
Updated at:
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
The Peak District is home to a wide variety of magnificent hills, moors, outcrops and gritstone edges.
The National Park itself covers an area of 555 square miles with a high point on Kinder Scout of 636 metres. Despite its name, the landscape generally lacks sharp peaks, being characterised by rounded hills and gritstone escarpments.
Despite what its name may suggest, the Peak District is similar in geography to the more gentle Yorkshire Dales. Its highest point is Kinder Scout, although Bleaklow Head (610 metres) and Black Hill (582 metres) offer great alternatives while losing little in terms of total elevation. Black Hill is a point of interest with its covering of peat and lack of vegetation giving the peak its name. However, conservation work has since transformed the peak so that large areas of the bare peat are now covered with native shrubs.
While the Peak District may lack sharp elevations, the whole area covers huge upland stretches, meaning that much of the National Park is on land that's more than 300 metres above sea level.