Mountain weather
Peak District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in mostly dry, warm and sunny spells through the period. Low for low cloud extent across the range on Friday and Saturday mornings and Saturday evening. Low confidence for shower detail from Monday onward.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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 risk of patchy low cloud initially but soon clearing to become a dry and fine day with plenty of sunny spells.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
10% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
SW
15
|
SW
14
|
SW
12
|
SW
11
|
SW
6
|
SW
5
|
| 300m |
S
8
|
SW
10
|
SW
9
|
SW
9
|
W
4
|
W
5
|
| Valley |
S
3
|
SW
7
|
SW
6
|
SW
7
|
W
3
|
NW
4
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 18 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 8 | 7 |
| 300m | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 8 |
| Valley | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 7 | 6 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
16°
|
17°
|
19°
|
21°
|
21°
|
19°
|
| 300m |
18°
|
20°
|
22°
|
24°
|
24°
|
21°
|
| Valley |
18°
|
21°
|
23°
|
25°
|
24°
|
20°
|
| Freezing Level |
3,200m
|
3,600m
|
3,600m
|
3,500m
|
3,300m
|
3,400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
14°
|
15°
|
17°
|
19°
|
21°
|
19°
|
| 300m |
18°
|
18°
|
21°
|
23°
|
25°
|
21°
|
| Valley |
19°
|
21°
|
23°
|
25°
|
25°
|
20°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Prolonged sunshine and high UV levels on Friday afternoon, sensible precautions advised.
Weather
Dry and mostly clear overnight, although some low cloud and mist could affect the south of the area towards daybreak. This cloud will soon become patchy, clearing by mid-morning. It will become a very warm day with prolonged sunshine or sunny spells and light to moderate winds. Small chance of lightning during the afternoon in any isolated showers. Likely remaining fine and dry into the evening with a little patchy cloud developing.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
Generally 100%, but 60% with broken cloud down to 400m in the south and southwest of the range around dawn and a couple of hours after.
Visibility
Generally very good with excellent clarity on nearby and distant hills, but locally poor or very poor in cloud on southern facing slopes at first.
Recent rainfall
Location: Cat & Fiddle (Midway between Buxton and Macclesfield)
Altitude: 511m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0.2mm | 4.2mm | 6.2mm |
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
Plenty of sunny spells from the outset and perhaps a little patchy cloud. A further risk of strong sunlight through Saturday afternoon in prolonged sunshine. Cloud will potentially build from the east through the evening bringing a risk of low visibility into the coming night.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
100% until 1900 where the chance will reduce to 40% as low cloud approaches from the east with broken bases down to 400m.
Maximum wind speed expected
South-easterly 12-15 mph gusting 25 mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 12 C becoming Plus 23 C
- Valley Plus 16 C becoming Plus 25 C
- Freezing level Above summits.
Visibility
Generally very good with excellent clarity of distant Dales, locally poor or very poor in cloud over peaks in the evening.
Mountain weather information
Sunday 9 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry, but rather cloudy to start. Long sunny periods expected with time. Brisk north-easterly winds.
Monday 10 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunny spells with an increasing chance of showers. Moderate north-easterly winds.
Tuesday 11 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Heavy showers clearing to sunny spells and the odd light shower. Moderate north-easterly winds.
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.