Mountain weather
Yorkshire Dales Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Generally high confidence over the next few days, although moderate for extent of rain on Wednesday. Lower confidence for longevity of hot weather later this week and into the weekend.
This evening forecast
A fine end to the day with plenty of evening sunshine. Remaining clear through the first part of the night with light winds.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Becoming cloudy with strong southwesterly winds and outbreaks of rain and drizzle.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
00% | 00% | 40% | 70% | 80% | 70% | 60% | 90% |
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 |
SW
8
|
SW
9
|
S
13
|
S
18
|
SW
24
|
SW
23
|
SW
25
|
SW
26
|
| 300m |
SW
2
|
S
2
|
S
5
|
S
9
|
S
14
|
SW
13
|
SW
15
|
SW
16
|
| Valley |
SW
1
|
S
2
|
S
4
|
S
9
|
S
11
|
SW
11
|
SW
13
|
SW
14
|
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 | 13 | 14 | 20 | 26 | 33 | 32 | 36 | 39 |
| 300m | 8 | 9 | 12 | 21 | 28 | 28 | 33 | 35 |
| Valley | 6 | 11 | 16 | 22 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 32 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
| Valley |
11°
|
11°
|
12°
|
13°
|
14°
|
15°
|
16°
|
15°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,900m
|
1,900m
|
2,000m
|
3,300m
|
3,200m
|
2,800m
|
3,000m
|
3,500m
|
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°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
11°
|
| Valley |
11°
|
10°
|
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
13°
|
14°
|
13°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Winds becoming noticeably strong and gusty on summits through the afternoon and evening.
Weather
Clear skies overnight combined with light winds will allow it to turn chilly by dawn, perhaps with the odd patch of mist or fog in the valleys. Skies will cloud over quickly through the morning though, bringing some outbreaks of light rain and drizzle, particularly over northern and western facing slopes as well as over the summits. Winds will steadily strengthen through the morning, becoming strong with gales possible by early evening over the summits. A few bright or sunny spells may develop in the south during the afternoon. Rain could then turn heavier through the evening.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
100% until midday, reducing to 40% with bases down to 400-500m at times, especially in light rain or drizzle.
Visibility
Generally excellent with distant ridges clearly visible and with good clarity. Early morning mist will give temporarily poor visibility in valleys. Otherwise moderate or poor visibility in rain and drizzle, with summits not visible as cloud lowers through the afternoon.
Recent rainfall
Location: Malham
Altitude: 375m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0.8mm | 8.2mm | 13.6mm |
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
Rather cloudy and windy at first on Wednesday with the potential for heavy rain and gales, which may persist over northern parts of the park until early afternoon. Rain and strong winds will steadily ease though, perhaps allowing it to turn drier and sunnier through the afternoon, especially further south.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
30% through the morning with cloud bases down to 400-500m at times. Mostly likely becoming 90% through the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Strong southwesterly winds of 25-30mph with gusts of 40-45mph, strongest during the morning before slowly easing.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 13 Celsius
- Valley Plus 12 Celsius becoming Plus 19 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above summits
Visibility
Generally excellent with distant ridges clearly visible and with good clarity. Falling to moderate to poor in rain, with nearby hills becoming partially obscure during heavy rain. Summits may not be visible through the morning and early afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Thursday 6 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A little rain possible at first, otherwise winds easing, becoming mostly dry and turning increasingly sunny and very warm.
Friday 7 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Largely sunny and very warm with light winds.
Saturday 8 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Fine, sunny and warm.
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.