Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for cold, showery conditions at first then gradually becoming less cold with winds and showers easing as high pressure tries to build from the west, but lower with regard to shower distribution and timing.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Sunny spells and snow showers. Bitterly cold, strong northerly winds.
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
<05% | 20% | 30% | 30% | 10% | <05% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
N
30
|
N
31
|
N
33
|
NE
30
|
N
25
|
NE
26
|
| 600m |
N
16
|
N
21
|
N
27
|
N
26
|
N
18
|
NE
17
|
| 300m |
N
5
|
N
7
|
N
13
|
N
12
|
N
7
|
N
7
|
| Valley |
N
6
|
N
7
|
N
14
|
N
13
|
N
9
|
N
9
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 34 | 36 | 42 | 38 | 31 | 33 |
| 600m | 21 | 26 | 36 | 34 | 25 | 24 |
| 300m | 22 | 24 | 32 | 29 | 22 | 21 |
| Valley | 23 | 24 | 32 | 29 | 21 | 22 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| Valley |
3°
|
4°
|
6°
|
7°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Freezing Level |
300m
|
400m
|
500m
|
600m
|
500m
|
300m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-14°
|
-13°
|
-11°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-12°
|
| 600m |
-9°
|
-9°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-8°
|
| 300m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-3°
|
| Valley |
0°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
0°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Gusts around 50mph over higher fells and ridges through the morning with a severe chill effect.
Weather
A bright day with sunny spells, however increasing cloud will bring an increasing risk, especially across eastern fells, of occasionally heavy snow or hail showers from late morning. The showers die out from mid-afternoon to leave a mainly dry evening with long clear spells developing.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Close to 100% at first and again later, but falling to 60% through the middle of the day.
Low cloud and visibility
Little cloud below the summits at first and again later, but occasional or periods above 600-750m developing through the middle of the day especially in association with showers. Away from cloud visibility excellent, falling briefly to a kilometre or less in heavier snow and hail showers.
Ground conditions
No recent ground conditions report available.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Dry with long clear spells overnight then a largely dry day with some long spells of sunshine, just the odd snow showers possible across eastern fells.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Close to 100% at first and again later, otherwise 75% through the middle of the day.
Maximum wind speed expected
Northerly 20-25mph, gusts around 40mph over ridges and summits, gradually decreasing 10-15mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Around minus 3 Celsius, rising briefly close to zero by day
- Valley Around zero Celsius at dawn rising to plus 6 or 7 Celsius by day.
- Freezing level Around 300m, rising to around 750m by day
Low cloud and visibility
Little or no cloud below the summits at first, becoming occasional above 600-750m through the middle of the day. Away from cloud, visibility excellent falling briefly close to a kilometre in snow showers.
Mountain weather information
Fri 14 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Another cold day with long clear or sunny spells and just a few snow showers around. Occasionally fresh northeasterly breeze. Freezing level 300, rising to 750m by day
Sat 15 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry with some long sunny spells, risk of an isolated light wintry shower. Mainly light northerly winds. Freezing level around 300m rising to 750m.
Sun 16 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Another largely dry day with sunny spells, just the odd light shower, wintry on summits, possible. Mainly light northeasterly winds. Freezing level around 750m rising to just above the summits.
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 Lake District covers an area of 885 square miles with its highest point, Scafell Pike, standing at 978 metres.