Mountain weather
Yorkshire Dales Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for the next couple of days, but becoming lower from Thursday onwards.
This evening forecast
Any remaining showers slowly dying out during the evening, to leave a dry night with mainly clear skies by midnight.
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
Generally dry with good sunny spells.
| 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% | <05% | 00% | 00% | <05% | 10% | <05% | 00% |
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
7
|
W
7
|
NW
9
|
W
11
|
W
11
|
W
15
|
W
14
|
W
10
|
| 300m |
NW
3
|
W
3
|
NW
5
|
NW
8
|
W
9
|
W
13
|
W
11
|
W
7
|
| Valley |
N
2
|
NW
2
|
SW
2
|
W
7
|
W
8
|
W
11
|
W
10
|
NW
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 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 23 | 22 | 17 |
| 300m | 8 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 24 | 21 | 17 |
| Valley | 5 | 5 | 6 | 13 | 16 | 21 | 20 | 12 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
8°
|
11°
|
11°
|
9°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
5°
|
8°
|
11°
|
14°
|
14°
|
12°
|
8°
|
| Valley |
7°
|
6°
|
8°
|
13°
|
15°
|
15°
|
13°
|
7°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,600m
|
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 |
5°
|
3°
|
3°
|
5°
|
8°
|
8°
|
6°
|
3°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
7°
|
10°
|
12°
|
11°
|
9°
|
5°
|
| Valley |
6°
|
5°
|
7°
|
11°
|
14°
|
12°
|
11°
|
6°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
There may be some low cloud and fog patches during the early hours, but these will soon lift and clear after sunrise. Thereafter there will be warm sunny spells with some fair weather cloud developing well above the hilltops. There is just a small chance of an isolated light shower developing during the afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
40% at first with cloud bases down to 400m and some isolated fog patches. Becoming 100% by mid morning.
Visibility
Possibly a little misty at first, with nearby hills obscured, and very poor in any fog. Becoming excellent by mid morning with distant hills clearly visible. Any light showers may temporarily obscure distant hills.
Meteorologist's view
Feeling warm in the sunshine, so appropriate sun protection and hydration is recommended.
Recent rainfall
Location: Malham
Altitude: 375m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0mm | 0mm | 0mm |
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 mostly dry day, possibly with some early low cloud lifting and breaking by mid morning to leave warm sunny spells. Once again just a small chance of an isolated light shower at times.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
60% at first with cloud bases down to 500m. Becoming 100% by mid morning.
Maximum wind speed expected
Northwesterly 15mph gusting 25 mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 5C becoming plus 8C
- Valley Plus 6C becoming plus 18C
- Freezing level Well above the summits
Visibility
Possibly a little misty at first, with nearby hills looking hazy, but becoming excellent by mid morning with distant hills clearly visible. Any light showers may temporarily obscure distant hills.
Mountain weather information
Thursday 23 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A dry day with some sunny spells and cloud bases mostly well above the hilltops. There may be some low cloud in the early hours, quickly clearing after sunrise. Light or moderate westerly winds.
Friday 24 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Often cloudy with some showers developing. Cloud bases may be covering the hilltops at times, especially in showers. Light or moderate westerly winds.
Saturday 25 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Another mainly cloudy day with further showers developing. Cloud bases may be covering the hilltops for much of the day. Light or moderate westerly winds, perhaps strengthening slightly during the day.
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.