Mountain weather
Peak District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Generally high or moderate confidence in the overall trend, but lower confidence in tiling of showers.
This evening forecast
Evening showers will die away, then dry. Some fog may form on hills later.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Rain clearing later in the day, then sunny spells and scattered showers, possibly with lightning during the afternoon.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
10% | 10% | 10% | 60% | 60% | 60% | 20% | 10% |
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
17
|
SE
17
|
E
21
|
SE
18
|
SE
16
|
S
18
|
S
18
|
S
19
|
| 300m |
SE
11
|
SE
12
|
E
15
|
SE
13
|
SE
12
|
S
13
|
S
12
|
S
11
|
| Valley |
SE
7
|
E
8
|
E
10
|
SE
9
|
SE
9
|
S
9
|
S
7
|
S
7
|
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 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 26 |
| 300m | 20 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 |
| Valley | 18 | 19 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 20 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
10°
|
8°
|
| Valley |
8°
|
7°
|
8°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
11°
|
9°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,300m
|
1,300m
|
1,600m
|
1,600m
|
1,500m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
5°
|
6°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
9°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
Dry with clear spells at first, then cloudy with rain around dawn, and fog on hills. Rain will clear later in the day then sunny spells and scattered showers, locally heavy with possible lightning.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
Low chance in rain during the morning, but improving later as cloud lifts and breaks.
Visibility
Moderate in rain or showers at low levels. Poor or very poor where cloud covers hills. Good or very good in drier periods.
Meteorologist's view
Feeling noticeably cold in rain, strong winds and low temperatures.
Recent rainfall
Location: Cat & Fiddle (Midway between Buxton and Macclesfield)
Altitude: 511m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0mm | 0mm | 0mm |
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
Rather cloudy at times with limited sunshine and a few showers. Rain will arrive during the evening with cloud lowering onto peaks at times. Feeling cold on peaks in fresh or strong winds.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
Generally good chance during the day, but decreasing chance during the evening.
Maximum wind speed expected
Strengthening southeasterly winds will gust to 35 mph later.
Temperature
- At 600m plus 3 degrees becoming plus 7 degrees.
- Valley 17 degrees by the afternoon.
- Freezing level Will be above the peaks.
Visibility
Mainly good during the day, locally moderate in showers during the day, and moderate in rain later.
Mountain weather information
Saturday 27 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Heavy rain and strong winds with temperatures only a few degrees above freezing on peaks. Cloud will cover peaks at times. Feeling cold in fresh or strong winds.
Sunday 28 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloud will break with some sunny intervals and a few showers. Feeling cold in moderate or fresh northwesterly winds.
Monday 29 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Further rain will spread from the west with fresh or strong southwesterly winds. Cloud will cover peaks at times later. The freezing level will be above the peaks.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast map
Summit specific forecasts for Peak DistrictThe 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.