Mountain weather
Yorkshire Dales Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for the general weather type, but moderate for the timing of the wind speed reduction on Monday and for details of shower distribution.
This evening forecast
Dry and partly cloudy but with cloud above the hilltops. Strong westerly winds with gusts 40-50mph over the more exposed summits and ridges.
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.
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.
Gales
Gale force winds (gusts over 50mph) make walking difficult and strenuous with a potential to be blown over by gusts. There is often a marked increase in winds through cols or on exposed ridges and summits. Distances can take longer to cover and compass bearings become harder to follow accurately.
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.
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
Sunshine and showers, perhaps heavy and thundery during the afternoon.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
<05% | 30% | 40% | 60% | 70% | 70% | 70% | 60% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
W
28
|
W
25
|
W
22
|
W
17
|
NW
14
|
W
13
|
NE
8
|
SE
5
|
| 300m |
W
18
|
W
18
|
W
13
|
W
11
|
NW
10
|
NW
10
|
NW
7
|
SE
3
|
| Valley |
W
10
|
W
12
|
W
11
|
W
11
|
NW
9
|
NW
9
|
NW
8
|
S
4
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m | 40 | 36 | 31 | 25 | 21 | 20 | 12 | 8 |
| 300m | 38 | 38 | 28 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 8 |
| Valley | 27 | 30 | 26 | 24 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 9 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
7°
|
| Valley |
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
11°
|
9°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| Valley |
8°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
9°
|
8°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
Clouding over during the early hours with outbreaks of mainly light showery rain. Cloud lifting and breaking somewhat during the morning to allow some limited sunny spells, but showers continuing and these may be heavy and thundery during the afternoon. It will also be windy during the morning.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
30% at first, with cloud bases down to 500m. Becoming 70% with cloud generally lifting above the hilltops during the morning, but potentially dropping back to around 500m in any showers, particularly in heavier showers.
Visibility
Generally good outside of showers with distant ranges visible. However visibility will temporarily drop in showers, obscuring nearby hills and landmarks. In any low cloud covering the hills it will drop to around 100m.
Meteorologist's view
Winds may gust up to 40-50 mph over exposed summits and ridges during the early hours, there is some uncertainty as to when the wind will drop and the stronger winds may last until lunchtime.
Recent rainfall
Location: Malham
Altitude: 375m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 27.2mm | 27.2mm | 27.2mm |
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
Another day of sunshine and showers. There may be some early low cloud covering hilltops, but this will quickly lift and break to give sunny spells with some showers. However these will generally be less frequent and lighter than on Monday.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
40% at first with cloud bases down to 400m. Becoming 90% with cloud lifting above the hilltops, but just a small chance of cloud bases dropping to around 600m in any showers.
Maximum wind speed expected
Northwesterly 10-15mph, gusting up to 20-25mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 5 C
- Valley Plus 4 C becoming plus 14 C
- Freezing level Well above the hilltops.
Visibility
Generally excellent outside of showers with distant ranges clearly visible. Visibility will temporarily drop in showers, obscuring hills in the middle distance. In any low cloud covering the hills it will drop to around 100m.
Mountain weather information
Wednesday 29 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Further sunshine and showers, with the possibility of heavier showers during the afternoon. Any early low cloud will soon lift and break. Possibly clouding over during the evening with low cloud obscuring hills. Light southwesterly winds.
Thursday 30 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Extensive low cloud obscuring hills and outbreaks of rain and drizzle for much of the day. Light to moderate southwesterly winds becoming northerly during the day.
Friday 31 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunshine and showers once again with any early low cloud quickly lifting and breaking. Light northerly winds becoming variable.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast map
Summit specific forecasts for Yorkshire DalesThe 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.