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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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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
Thursday 22nd January 2026
Last updated
Wed 21st Jan 26 at
4:18PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales in north England and Scotland, severe on the high Munros, gusting to storm force in the north; severe wind chills. Frequent or persistent rain across most mountains, falling as snow onto the high Munros from dawn, the snow level lowering with time; snow will be heavy with whiteout conditions in east Scotland.
Headline for Lake District
Rainy and dull, particularly southeast; gale force wind
How windy? (On the summits)
East-southeasterly 40 to 50mph, stronger gusts in places near and west of higher tops, including through elevated passes. Wind may strengthen for a few hours after nightfall.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions, difficult in exposure and gusts potentially knocking you off balance, not just on tops. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Persistent rain
Rain most of the day widely across the fells, most persistent with heavy falls on southeastern aspects. A few breaks north of the Great Gable. Rain will turn to sleet/snow on the high tops later in the day.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Shrouding the higher fells, bases around 500-600m, always lowest in the south and east; some higher breaks toward the west and northwest Lakes though summits will struggle to clear.
Chance of cloud free summits?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast. Visibility poor in precipitation, a general haze, locally better west.
How Cold? (at 750m)
3 or 4C to start the day, gradually cooling to 2C by dusk. Wind chill feels as cold as -12C, to -15C later.
Freezing Level
Above the summits during daylight, may just drop to 0C on the highest fells around and after dusk.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Friday 23rd January 2026
Last updated
Wed 21st Jan 26 at
4:18PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Easterly 35 to 45mph, stronger gusts in places near and west of higher tops, elevated passes too.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous conditions, stability challenging in exposure with significant buffeting gusts. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Patchy rain/sleet east fells
Occasional patchy rain on south and east fells, falling as sleet on high terrain - likely dry for hours at a time. A greater chance of rain as the day goes.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over tops
Shrouding the high fells all day, bases may lift at times, highest lifting on northwest fells where slopes may often be clear of cloud. A greater chance of more extensive cloud for a time afternoon.
Chance of cloud free summits?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, some brighter moments western areas early. Visibility poor in precipitation, a general haze, locally better west.
How Cold? (at 750m)
1C, may drop to freezing on eastern fells. Wind chill feels as cold as -15C.
Freezing Level
Around the high fells most of the day, perhaps lowering towards 800-900m at times on the eastern fells.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Saturday 24th January 2026
Last updated
Wed 21st Jan 26 at
4:18PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Southeasterly 35 to 50mph, very gusty in passes and downslope to west; may start to lessen with time - uncertain.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking in exposure, frequent buffeting gusts not just on highest terrain; significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Intermittent rain, snow high tops
Rain on and off, falling as sleet or snow over higher fells especially eastern areas, mostly above 700m. Patchier smaller amounts westward.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive over tops
Covering most higher fells all day above 700m, lower at times southeastern Lakeland; some breaks at times higher up toward northwestern areas.
Chance of cloud free summits?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, some brighter moments westward. Poor visibility in rain, very poor if in snow and cloud on tops.
How Cold? (at 750m)
0 to 2C. Directly in the wind feeling like -12 to -15C.
Freezing Level
800m particularly eastern Lakeland, slightly higher westwards, may be above some upper slopes toward far west.
Planning Outlook
Sustained gale force easterlies over most mountains into the weekend, powerful gusts downslope toward west; severe chill factor. Colder air and lowering freezing level moves into Scotland on Friday, much mountain terrain then frozen into the weekend and early next week. Substantial snowfalls over eastern Scottish hills later this week, drier to the west. Dropping just below freezing on high tops in England and Wales - a mix of rain and high level snow, turning colder further south over the weekend, with freezing level dropping to the southern Pennines summits next week. Circulating low pressure and cold air into next week, with further snowfalls likely. Lower wind speeds early in the new week, but then likely increasing E-SE'ly again.