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Lake District
The entire Lake District National Park, taking in all major summits, including Scafell, Helvellyn, Skiddaw, the Langdales and Old Man of Coniston.
Today's Forecast
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Winter sunshine
Bright sunshine most of the day with the mountains generally free of cloud. Snow cover on higher terrain.
Very cold
Significant wintry conditions - below freezing from lower elevations up all day, -7 or -8C highest summits, feeling like -20C or below on high tops due to wind chill. Frostbite and hypothermia risk. Substantial protective clothing is required.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Winter sunshine
Bright sunshine most of the day with the mountains generally free of cloud. Snow cover on higher terrain.
Very cold
Significant wintry conditions - below freezing from lower elevations up all day, -7 or -8C highest summits, feeling like -20C or below on high tops due to wind chill. Frostbite and hypothermia risk. Substantial protective clothing is required.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Saturday 3rd January 2026
Last updated
Fri 2nd Jan 26 at
3:16PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widespread sub-zero temperatures and wind, gales in northern England and Scotland; wind chill approaching -20C or lower on high summits. Near-constant snow showers in northern Scotland with snowdrifts building; snow showers into central/west Scotland and west Wales too. Mostly sunny southern Scotland and England.
Headline for Lake District
Bitterly cold gales; dry and mostly sunny
How windy? (On the summits)
North to northwesterly 30 to 40mph, at times 45-50mph higher tops, particularly Skiddaw to Helvellyn areas. A trend towards 30-35mph with time.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe wind chill over the fells. Frequent buffeting on exposed higher terrain, challenging walking in places. Conditions will ease slightly with time.
How Wet?
Precipitation not expected
Cloud on the hills?
Little if any
Rare patches on some higher slopes, mainly north Lakeland tops.
Chance of cloud free summits?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 750m)
-4 or -5C. Wind chill feeling like -20 to -23C in exposure on high tops.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen, staying sub-zero from valleys upward. Nearest the northwest coast and southern aspects, partial thawing in sunlight up to 300-400m,
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Sunday 4th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 2nd Jan 26 at
3:16PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Northwesterly 25 to 35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Continued significant wind chill over the hills. Strenuous walking with buffeting in exposure.
How Wet?
Precipitation not expected
Cloud on the hills?
Little if any
Rare patches on some higher slopes, mainly north Lakeland tops.
Chance of cloud free summits?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny, some high from time to time. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 750m)
-4 or -5C. Wind chill feeling like -17C in exposure on high tops.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen, staying sub-zero from valleys upward. Sun-exposed valleys may rise to or just above freezing.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Monday 5th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 2nd Jan 26 at
3:16PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Northerly 25-30mph, stronger speeds early in the day. Through afternoon, shifting northwesterly and easing.
Effect of the wind on you?
Continued significant wind chill over the fells. Strenuous walking with buffeting in exposure.
How Wet?
Precipitation not expected
Cloud on the hills?
Little if any
Rare cloud caps may graze the highest tops, though all fells will be largely clear.
Chance of cloud free summits?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 750m)
-4 or -5C. Wind chill feeling as cold as -18C in exposure.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen, staying sub-zero from valleys upward.
Planning Outlook
Terrain extensively frozen into early next week; sub-zero temperatures from the glens upward in Scotland and increasingly into valleys in England and Wales. Heavy showers streaming into northern and coastal Scotland, some containing hail, most terrain covered in snow with substantial snowdrifts in the Northwest Highlands and Cairngorms. Largely dry and sunny in southern Scotland and England. Hail and snow showers will run into north and west Wales from the sea. Bitter northerly winds, up to gale force higher tops at times. More variable next week: some fluctuation of freezing level during next week, though most high terrain stays sub-zero, and as fronts come in from the west, upland snowfalls are possible more widely.