Mountain weather
Yorkshire Dales Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for a very wet and windy few days, lower confidence for rainfall amounts and any breaks in persistent rain.
This evening forecast
Cloudy with some drizzly outbreaks on the tops, severe gales.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Wet at times, drier in the south, very windy.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 600m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 600m) |
20% | 30% | 30% | 40% | 60% | 60% | 60% | 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 |
SW
29
|
SW
30
|
SW
30
|
SW
30
|
SW
29
|
SW
31
|
SW
26
|
SW
24
|
| 300m |
SW
20
|
SW
21
|
SW
21
|
SW
21
|
SW
20
|
SW
20
|
SW
18
|
SW
16
|
| Valley |
SW
18
|
SW
18
|
SW
17
|
SW
17
|
SW
18
|
SW
18
|
SW
18
|
S
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 | 44 | 47 | 47 | 46 | 44 | 47 | 42 | 38 |
| 300m | 42 | 43 | 42 | 42 | 41 | 42 | 38 | 34 |
| Valley | 40 | 39 | 37 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 37 | 31 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600m |
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
| 300m |
12°
|
12°
|
12°
|
13°
|
13°
|
13°
|
13°
|
12°
|
| Valley |
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
15°
|
14°
|
14°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,200m
|
2,400m
|
2,600m
|
2,600m
|
2,800m
|
2,600m
|
2,900m
|
2,700m
|
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°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
| Valley |
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Severe gales expected at times and along with persistent rain it will be quite unpleasant hillwalking conditions especially for the northern Dales.
Weather
Dry for much of the night but rain spreading in from the north around dawn. Rain likely to mostly affect the Northern Dales where it could be persistent and heavy for much of the day. Some localised flooding is likely and some rivers and streams are likely to become full. For the more southern Dales there will be drier spells although rain may spread south later. Perhaps more chance of breaks in the rain in the east too in.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
Very little chance with extensive low cloud associated with heavy rain in the west. 30%chance in the south and west where there will be some breaks in the low cloud.
Visibility
Extensive low cloud from 300m and above for most of the day in the north and west, perhaps more broken and a higher base for northeastern fells, scattered from 500m. Visibility below cloud will also be poor or very poor in heavy rain in the north and west, moderate visibility in the south and east.
Recent rainfall
Location: Malham
Altitude: 375m
| Last 24 hours | Last 48 hours | Last 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 4mm | 13.8mm | 15mm |
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
Heavy persistent rain is expected to continue on Thursday for most areas of the Yorkshire Dales, perhaps clearing the north during the afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 600m
10% chance in the north in the afternoon otherwise extensive low cloud.
Maximum wind speed expected
Strong southerly winds. 20-25mph with gusts 35-40mph.
Temperature
- At 600m Plus 9 Celsius.
- Valley Plus 13 Celsius.
- Freezing level Above all summits.
Visibility
Generally poor throughout the day, perhaps becoming moderate in the north in the afternoon as rain clears. Cloud will be broken above 400m for much of the day.
Mountain weather information
Friday 29 October
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Outbreaks of showery rain, possible risk of thunder. Some brighter spells too. Strong southerly winds.
Saturday 30 October
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Outbreaks of showery rain are expected to continue, fresh southerly winds too.
Sunday 31 October
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Hard to determine details for Sunday but possibly another wet and windy day.
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.