Mountain weather
Yorkshire Dales Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for overall settled conditions with prolonged sunshine by day. Moderate for exact timing of cloud clearance each morning. Low confidence in the timing and distribution of showers over the weekend.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Early cloud largely clearing once again to widespread sunshine.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
<05% | <05% | <05% | 00% | 00% | <05% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
E
11
|
E
13
|
E
13
|
E
12
|
E
13
|
NE
12
|
| 300m |
E
8
|
E
10
|
E
11
|
E
10
|
E
11
|
NE
10
|
| Valley |
E
5
|
E
9
|
E
9
|
E
8
|
E
10
|
E
10
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 18 |
| 300m | 13 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 20 |
| Valley | 9 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 20 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
6°
|
7°
|
10°
|
12°
|
10°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
12°
|
15°
|
16°
|
14°
|
9°
|
| Valley |
11°
|
14°
|
17°
|
18°
|
16°
|
11°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,100m
|
2,100m
|
2,000m
|
1,900m
|
1,900m
|
1,900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
2°
|
4°
|
7°
|
9°
|
7°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
10°
|
13°
|
14°
|
12°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
10°
|
12°
|
15°
|
16°
|
14°
|
9°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
High UV levels likely into the afternoon, with sun protection essential. Care should also be taken if heading out onto the hills early, with temperatures at height feeling chilly in the easterly winds, adequate layers recommended.
Weather
A cloudy start to the day but the cloud will soon thin and break, followed by periods of sunshine developing by late morning. Warm and dry with lots of very strong sunshine during the afternoon. Holding onto clear skies for the first part of the night, with some late evening sunshine but low cloud likely to return from the east later overnight.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% in the east of the park to start, but 60% in the west. Becoming 90% for all parts into the afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Generally good but mediocre or poor in cloud, with bases as low as 500-600m, covering tops in the east of the park around dawn. Visibility soon becoming very good all around, with good panoramic views, including at height.
Recent rainfall
Location: Malham
Altitude: 375m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0mm | 1mm | 1mm |
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
Staying generally dry, with again early cloud clearing and breaking from the west to give widespread sunshine into the afternoon, tempered by a fresh easterly breeze.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60% to start, becoming 95% for all into the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Easterly 15mph gusting 25mph.
Temperature
- At 600m 4 deg C becoming 12 deg C.
- Valley 7 deg C becoming 17 deg C.
- Freezing level Above summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Cloud bases of around 600-700m once again covering some higher tops in the park to start. Cloud increasingly breaking through the morning to leave largely clear skies by the afternoon. Visibility generally good outside of any early cloud at height.
Mountain weather information
Fri 9 Jun
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Similar to previous days, with patchy overnight cloud soon clearing to leave another dry sunny day. Brisk easterly winds persisting.
Sat 10 Jun
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A dry, bright day likely but forecast confidence lowers as conditions turn more unsettled into the evening, with an increasing risk of some heavy and thundery showers. Becoming warmer with winds easing.
Sun 11 Jun
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Forecast confidence remains lower but a generally cloudier day likely with a risk of showers. Staying warm with light winds.
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 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.