Mountain weather
Lake District Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for Friday. Low for extent of any showery rain from Saturday onwards.
This evening forecast
Dry and partly cloudy. Some frost and a few fog patches developing in the valleys.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Early showery rain and summit snow, otherwise dry and cold
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
00% | 30% | 40% | 20% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
S
9
|
S
16
|
S
22
|
SE
22
|
SE
25
|
SE
26
|
SE
30
|
SE
30
|
| 600m |
S
6
|
S
12
|
S
19
|
S
20
|
SE
22
|
SE
22
|
SE
24
|
SE
24
|
| 300m |
S
2
|
S
3
|
S
5
|
SE
7
|
SE
9
|
SE
10
|
SE
11
|
SE
12
|
| Valley |
S
2
|
E
2
|
SE
5
|
SE
7
|
SE
10
|
SE
11
|
SE
11
|
SE
11
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m | 10 | 19 | 27 | 28 | 32 | 33 | 38 | 39 |
| 600m | 8 | 16 | 26 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 34 | 34 |
| 300m | 6 | 11 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 27 | 28 |
| Valley | 5 | 9 | 15 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 25 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Valley |
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| Freezing Level |
700m
|
700m
|
800m
|
800m
|
800m
|
900m
|
1,000m
|
1,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900m |
-6°
|
-7°
|
-9°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
| 600m |
-2°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| Valley |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
Additional weather information
Meteorologist's view
Nothing to add
Weather
A cloudy start with some showery rain, and sleet and wet snow above 800 metres. Then the rest of the day will be dry and partly cloudy although the Southern Fells may well hang on to some low cloud into the afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50%, best chance in the afternoon across the north of the Park
Low cloud and visibility
Poor in areas of cloud down to 500 to 800 metres, lowest bases across the south of the Park. This tending to break in the afternoon but may still shroud slopes in the south.
Ground conditions
Date: Thursday 15 January.Location: Helvellyn summit at 12:56. Temperature: minus 0.1 deg C. Maximum wind speed 22.6mph. Wind chill: minus 8.7 deg C. Average wind speed: 16.4mph. Full report: Light winds and with the temperature only just below freezing (wind-chill still cool though at -8.7) gave very pleasant conditions on Helvellyns summit at the time of the fell-top report today. There is currently a vast mix of snow and ice conditions on the mountain once above about 750m, particularly on the east/Red Tarn side of Helvellyn and on any routes to the summit coming from this side, the routes on the west side from Swirls/Thirlmere are likely less snowy, however it is currently recommended to carry crampons and an ice axe if attempting any route to the summit or up any of the high Lakeland fells, micro-spikes may suffice for less snowy approaches and well chosen routes. If actively seeking out steep snow-slopes then the harder frozen underlying snow means that crampons and an ice axe is essential. If looking for a more challenging way up the mountain (graded ground for the experienced) then the classic edges, both Swirral and Striding edges, or the Helvellyn headwall will give a good challenge, be aware of the snow layers/instability on the headwall, and the small cornice barring some exits to the plateau and safe ground. With the conditions and forecast looking similar tomorrow be sure to be well prepared if heading high, crampons and ice axe as well as full winter equipment and clothing. Its worth noting that route choice to the summit will give very different experiences under the current snow conditions depending what side of the mountain you choose to approach from.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Variable cloud cover a chance of some showery rain or higher summit sleet or wet snow at times. Some drier spells of weather too. Low confidence in the any extent of precipitation.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40%, best chance in the northwest of the Park
Maximum wind speed expected
Southeasterly 20 mph
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 3 Celsius
- Valley Plus 3 rising to 7 Celsius
- Freezing level Above summits
Low cloud and visibility
Poor in areas of cloud down to 500 to 800 metres, lowest bases over southern facing slopes
Mountain weather information
Sun 18 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry and rather cloudy, best of the cloud breaks across the north of the Park. Light winds.
Mon 19 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry with variable cover.
Tue 20 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A chance of some showery rain or higher summit wet snow spreading from the south at times, otherwise dry.
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.