Mountain weather
Peak District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in most aspects over the weekend. Lower confidence from late Monday due to a developing low pressure system.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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
Sunny spells and heavy, blustery showers.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
30% | 30% | 30% | 30% | 30% | 30% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
W
24
|
W
25
|
W
28
|
W
26
|
W
22
|
W
21
|
| 300m |
SW
19
|
W
21
|
W
22
|
W
20
|
SW
14
|
SW
15
|
| Valley |
W
10
|
W
12
|
W
16
|
W
16
|
W
9
|
W
8
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 31 | 31 | 37 | 36 | 31 | 29 |
| 300m | 26 | 26 | 31 | 29 | 23 | 25 |
| Valley | 24 | 25 | 31 | 31 | 23 | 22 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
9°
|
8°
|
| 300m |
10°
|
10°
|
12°
|
13°
|
12°
|
11°
|
| Valley |
10°
|
11°
|
13°
|
14°
|
12°
|
11°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,600m
|
1,700m
|
1,600m
|
1,600m
|
1,700m
|
1,700m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
3°
|
3°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
7°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
| Valley |
8°
|
8°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Some places may stay dry, but others may see several showers align, leading to a longer period of rainfall. Feeling cold in the wind, even with some sunshine, and gusts will make walking difficult at times near the summits.
Weather
Clear or sunny spells and scattered heavy and blustery showers, with a very low risk of thunder. Showers may become frequent at times today, while this evening the showers will become isolated and generally limited to western areas.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60% increasing 90%
Low cloud and visibility
Excellent visibility generally, briefly becoming poor in showers, and very poor in any cloud on higher slopes. Cloud bases will be generally above the summits from late morning, but there will be patchy cloud down to 400-500m at first, especially across western areas, and bases are likely to temporarily cover the tops around in and around showers.
Recent rainfall
Location: Cat & Fiddle (Midway between Buxton and Macclesfield)
Altitude: 511m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 20mm | 21.4mm | 27.4mm |
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
Patchy low cloud at first, with clear or sunny spells and isolated light showers, these most likely across western areas. Less windy than Saturday, so feeling slightly less chilly.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80%
Maximum wind speed expected
Westerly 15mph gusting 25-30mph
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 7C becoming 10C.
- Valley Plus 6C becoming 13C.
- Freezing level Above the summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Patchy cloud as low as 400m at first, particularly across western areas, but this will quickly lift above the tops during the morning. Excellent visibility generally, briefly becoming poor in showers, and very poor in any cloud on higher slopes.
Mountain weather information
Mon 3 Oct
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Isolated fog patches clearing, then dry but rather cloudy. Moderate south-westerly winds. Freezing level above the summits.
Tue 4 Oct
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy, perhaps with some rain at times. Strengthening south-westerly winds, becoming fresh to strong. Freezing level above the summits.
Wed 5 Oct
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Probably heavy rain quickly arriving, persisting through the morning, then easing and finally clearing in the afternoon. Broken cloud and showers following. Freezing level above the summits.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
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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.