Mountain weather
Yorkshire Dales Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for mainly settled weather with showers, but some uncertainty regarding frequency of showers, with showers merging to give longer spells of rain at times. Low confidence from Thursday onwards with uncertainty regarding timing of frontal systems.
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.
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
After a mostly cloudy start, Monday will become bright with sunny spells and scattered showers and a risk of thunder. Breezy with strong winds across summits.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
40% | 40% | 60% | 60% | 40% | 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
21
|
W
21
|
W
21
|
SW
22
|
W
19
|
W
17
|
| 300m |
W
12
|
W
14
|
W
15
|
W
15
|
W
12
|
W
9
|
| Valley |
SW
9
|
W
11
|
W
12
|
W
14
|
W
9
|
W
6
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 28 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 25 |
| 300m | 25 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 26 | 22 |
| Valley | 21 | 25 | 27 | 31 | 22 | 19 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| 300m |
11°
|
12°
|
13°
|
14°
|
13°
|
11°
|
| Valley |
13°
|
14°
|
15°
|
15°
|
14°
|
12°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,000m
|
1,800m
|
1,800m
|
1,800m
|
1,800m
|
1,800m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| Valley |
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
13°
|
13°
|
11°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
A mostly cloudy start with the odd shower and cloud covering summits around dawn, especially across more western areas of the Park. It will be another windy day with some sunny spells and scattered showers. These may be heavy, with a low risk of lightning. It will be breezy, especially across summits, and here it will feel chilly.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
40% with cloud bases down to 400m at first around dawn. Becoming 90% or more during the morning with cloud bases lifting, but perhaps coming down to around 600m in heavier showers.
Visibility
Good or very good for much of the day, with distant hills clearly visible, but becoming moderate to poor in any mist or heavier showers with nearby hills temporarily difficult to make out. Very poor in any low cloud covering the hills with nearby landmarks obscured.
Meteorologist's view
A day for clothing layers - feeling warm in sunny spells, but when exposed to the breeze, especially at altitude, this will make it feel quite chilly. Winds may temporarily be 10-15mph stronger than shown near heavier showers.
Recent rainfall
Location: Malham
Altitude: 375m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 5.6mm | 8.2mm | 23.4mm |
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
Most parts dry with just a chance of showers overnight, mainly in the west. Cloud will increase and thicken with showers merging to give a spell of rain around dawn. Brightening through the morning with one or two showers following, perhaps rather heavy with a low likelihood of lightning. Winds becoming less strong compared to recent days.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
90% becoming 30% during the early hours with cloud bases probably lowering to 400m around dawn. Becoming 90% during the morning with cloud bases lifting, but perhaps coming down near the hilltops in heavier showers.
Maximum wind speed expected
Westerly or southwesterly 15-20mph, gusting 25-30mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 7 Celsius becoming plus 11 Celsius for the afternoon.
- Valley Plus 9 Celsius becoming plus 18 Celsius for the afternoon.
- Freezing level Well above summits.
Visibility
Good or very good for much of the day, with distant hills clearly visible, but becoming moderate to poor in any mist or heavier showers with nearby hills temporarily difficult to make out. Very poor in any low cloud covering the hills with nearby landmarks obscured.
Mountain weather information
Wednesday 21 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunny spells and scattered showers, which could be rather heavy in the afternoon. Showers dying out in the afternoon as thickening cloud brings a risk of persistent rain and low cloud to end the day.
Thursday 22 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloud and rain clearing early on Thursday then a mainly dry day is likely. It may be a dull start with cloud covering summits at first, but brighter for the afternoon.
Friday 23 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Turning brighter through the day, once some thicker cloud with patchy rain or drizzle clears through the early morning period. Mainly light winds.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Key
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.