Mountain weather
Peak District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for unsettled conditions dominating this weekend, with showers and some longer spells of rain, some heavy and thundery. A trend towards less unsettled conditions by Tuesday.
This evening forecast
Showery rain this evening could turn thundery. Cloud covering summits.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Showers, some heavy and thundery, becoming more frequent into the afternoon. Perhaps some longer spells of rain developing after dusk, along with stronger winds.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
30% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 50% | 40% | 40% |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
S
13
|
S
12
|
S
13
|
SW
15
|
SW
20
|
SW
23
|
SW
20
|
SW
23
|
| 300m |
S
10
|
S
9
|
S
10
|
SW
12
|
SW
18
|
SW
19
|
SW
16
|
SW
16
|
| Valley |
S
6
|
SE
5
|
S
6
|
SW
9
|
SW
12
|
SW
12
|
SW
11
|
SW
11
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 19 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 29 | 33 | 30 | 33 |
| 300m | 18 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 28 | 29 | 25 | 26 |
| Valley | 16 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 23 | 26 | 23 | 26 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
13°
|
12°
|
12°
|
11°
|
| 300m |
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
15°
|
15°
|
15°
|
13°
|
| Valley |
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
15°
|
16°
|
15°
|
15°
|
14°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,600m
|
2,600m
|
2,600m
|
2,600m
|
2,600m
|
2,600m
|
2,400m
|
2,400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
10°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
7°
|
| 300m |
13°
|
12°
|
12°
|
13°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
10°
|
| Valley |
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
13°
|
14°
|
12°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
The risk of lightning associated with heavy showers increases into the afternoon. Winds may become gusty at times in/near heavy showers.
Weather
Rain, some locally heavy at first, easing to scattered showers overnight. Further showers developing through the morning into the afternoon, some heavy and thundery, with a risk of lightning and hail. Some bright or sunny intervals likely in-between. After dusk showers may merge into some longer spells of rain, although this aspect is uncertain.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
30% at first improving to 90%, perhaps decreasing to 70% after dusk.
Visibility
Areas of cloud above 400-500m at first, but generally lifting above most summits by afternoon, with good visibility beneath outside of showers. However, temporary and perhaps rapid deteriorations may occur in visibility associated with heavy showers.
Recent rainfall
Location: Cat & Fiddle (Midway between Buxton and Macclesfield)
Altitude: 511m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1mm | 1mm | 1mm |
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
Perhaps some longer spells of rain at first, some heavy, with further heavy, thundery showers developing through the day.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
40% at first increasing to 80-90% by afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 25mph gusts 35mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 13 Celsius.
- Valley Plus 13 Celsius rising to 18 Celsius by afternoon.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Visibility
Areas of cloud above around 500m at first, but generally lifting into the afternoon, with good visibility beneath outside of showers. However, highest summits may continue to be obscured at times, and temporary, perhaps rapid deteriorations in visibility may occur in heavy showers.
Mountain weather information
Sunday 8 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Similar to Saturday with some heavy, thundery showers, and perhaps some longer spells of rain on western hills. Westerly winds may be strong and gusty at times, especially in/near heavy showers.
Monday 9 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Showers probably a little more scattered and less intense, although still a low chance of isolated thunderstorms.
Tuesday 10 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Any showers expected to be much lighter and more isolated, with a better prospect of longer drier spells. Winds also expected to be lighter.
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.