Mountain weather
Yorkshire Dales Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for a lot of dry weather but with low cloud often shrouding the hills. The height and extent of this low cloud will be the main forecasting challenge this week.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Low cloud but mainly dry. Some brightness in east. Light winds.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
10% | 10% | 10% | 20% | 20% | 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
11
|
SW
12
|
W
10
|
W
10
|
W
10
|
W
9
|
| 300m |
W
5
|
W
5
|
W
5
|
W
5
|
W
5
|
W
4
|
| Valley |
W
2
|
W
2
|
W
2
|
SW
3
|
SW
2
|
W
2
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 15 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 |
| 300m | 12 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Valley | 9 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 4 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| 300m |
3°
|
4°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
| Valley |
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,600m
|
1,800m
|
1,800m
|
1,800m
|
2,000m
|
2,100m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
2°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| Valley |
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
Dull conditions with extensive low cloud across most of the Dales, especially in the west, giving a little light drizzle at times. Best chance of bright intervals will be in the east, particularly lower slopes in the far east of the National Park. The highest ground may stand clear of the extensive cloud early on, but this should be enveloped later.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
Mainly nil in west to 60% in east. Extensive cloud from low slopes upwards in the west, lifting onto high slopes and breaking off summits at times across the east, especially far east.
Visibility
Often very poor in extensive low cloud but clearer breaks at times in the east. Generally hazy below the cloud base with near to middle distant hills appearing faint.
Meteorologist's view
Challenging navigation conditions at most elevations due to extensive low cloud, especially across the west of the National Park.
Recent rainfall
Location: Malham
Altitude: 375m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0mm | 0mm | 0.2mm |
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
Cloudy and misty morning with the odd spot of light rain or drizzle. Staying mostly cloudy in the afternoon but some brightness coming through, more especially across the far east of the Park.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
Mainly nil in the morning, becoming 60% in afternoon. Extensive cloud down to low slopes in morning, lifting onto high slopes in afternoon with some summits clearing, mainly east.
Maximum wind speed expected
West or Northwest 15-20mph easing to 10-15mph in afternoon.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 4 or 5 Celsius.
- Valley Plus 2 or 3 rising to 9 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Visibility
Often poor at height, especially during the morning, with extensive low cloud. Generally hazy conditions under the cloud but improving through the afternoon, especially in east.
Mountain weather information
Thursday 23 January
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Another cloudy day with extensive hill fog, but some brighter interludes in the east. Mainly dry except for some patchy light drizzle. Light west or southwesterly winds. Freezing level above summits.
Friday 24 January
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly cloudy with patchy rain, perhaps a little brightness in the east. Feeling cold on the tops with a fresh westerly breeze.
Saturday 25 January
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy but dry morning then rain becoming persistent in the afternoon. Southerly winds becoming strong or gale force with severe wind chill on the tops.
Updated at:
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
The Yorkshire Dales National Park covers an area of 683 square miles and is a collection of rivers, valleys and hills.
The National Park lies within the county boundaries of historic Yorkshire with much of the landscape consisting of limestone country; lush green valleys known locally as 'dales' crested with white limestone cliffs known as 'scars'. Hidden beneath these hills and peaks is an underground world of caves and potholes with stalactites and stalagmites, cathedral sized chambers, underground rivers and waterfalls.
A gentler outlook awaits visitors in the Yorkshire Dales, compared to the much more imposing ranges of the Lake District. The tallest of the gentle rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales is Whernside, which reaches 736 metres. Known as the 'King of the Dales', Whernside may not be the tallest of mountains on offer in the UK, but still rewards those who make the journey with views that stretch for miles.
Walkers shouldn't be under the illusion that the Yorkshire Dales doesn't offer challenges for ardent mountain walkers. Instead, a 'Three Peaks Challenge', which takes in Whernside, Ingelborough and Pen-y-Ghent, sees walkers cover over 23 miles and almost 1,600 metres of ascent. The record for completing all three currently stands at around two and a half hours.