Mountain weather
Peak District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for mostly settled spell of weather with showers, but some uncertainty regarding frequency of showers.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
A bright day with scattered heavy showers and a low risk of thunder. Breezy with strong winds across summits, perhaps gusting to gale strength.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
20% | 20% | 30% | 30% | 40% | 20% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
SW
21
|
SW
21
|
SW
25
|
SW
28
|
SW
25
|
SW
22
|
| 300m |
SW
15
|
SW
17
|
SW
19
|
SW
21
|
SW
17
|
SW
16
|
| Valley |
SW
8
|
SW
10
|
SW
14
|
SW
16
|
SW
12
|
SW
9
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 26 | 26 | 35 | 39 | 33 | 30 |
| 300m | 21 | 24 | 31 | 34 | 29 | 25 |
| Valley | 19 | 21 | 31 | 34 | 28 | 22 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
9°
|
10°
|
12°
|
13°
|
11°
|
10°
|
| 300m |
11°
|
13°
|
15°
|
16°
|
14°
|
12°
|
| Valley |
12°
|
14°
|
16°
|
17°
|
15°
|
13°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,900m
|
1,800m
|
2,000m
|
1,900m
|
2,100m
|
2,100m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
5°
|
6°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
11°
|
10°
|
| Valley |
10°
|
12°
|
13°
|
14°
|
13°
|
11°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
A fine start to the day with chance of patchy cloud bases covering summits at times around dawn. Sunday will then be a breezy day with sunny spells and an increasing chance of showers; these may turn heavy for a time, with a low likelihood of lightning. Winds may reach gale strength across summits for a time in the afternoon, and here it will feel chilly, so appropriate clothing is recommended.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
80% with cloud bases perhaps down to around 550-600m at first around dawn becoming 90% or more during the morning.
Visibility
Very good or excellent for much of the day with distant hills clearly visible. Though quickly dropping to moderate in any heavier showers.
Meteorologist's view
Winds across summits and exposed ridges may temporarily be 10-15mph stronger than indicated above near any heavy showers. The strength of the wind will make it feel cold in exposed areas, so taking adequate layers is recommended
Recent rainfall
Location: Cat & Fiddle (Midway between Buxton and Macclesfield)
Altitude: 511m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1mm | 47.8mm | 54mm |
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
A similar day to Sunday with a chance of some patches of lower cloud in the early hours of Monday morning around 400m. This lifting and breaking soon after dawn then another fine day with showers. The showers could again be heavy with a low likelihood of lightning.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
70% with patchy cloud bases probably around 400m at first around dawn, becoming 90% or more by the end of the morning.
Maximum wind speed expected
Westerly or southwesterly with gusts reaching 35-40mph across summits.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 8 Celsius becoming plus 12 Celsius for the afternoon.
- Valley Plus 10 Celsius becoming plus 18 Celsius for the afternoon.
- Freezing level Well above the summits.
Visibility
Good or very good, becoming moderate or poor at times near showers.
Mountain weather information
Tuesday 20 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Winds moderating noticeably on Monday night, with sunny spells and scattered showers for Tuesday, some possibly still heavy for the afternoon.
Wednesday 21 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Perhaps a cloudier day with more in the way of showers, some heavy by the afternoon with a low likelihood of lightning. Remaining rather cool with westerly or southwesterly winds, but probably feeling warmer than of late at lower elevations.
Thursday 22 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Currently the weather looks similar with clear or sunny spells and scattered showers with westerly or southwesterly winds. Chance of longer spells of rain.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Key
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.