Mountain Weather
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Lake District Forecast

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

Windy, walking impeded
Heavy snow and hail showers, isolated lightning
Chilly

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Click here to download the latest PDF Last Updated Wed 13th May 26 at 7:00AM Last Updated Wed 13th May 26 at 7:00AM
View our low-graphics version Last Updated Wed 13th May 26 at 7:00AM Last Updated Wed 13th May 26 at 7:00AM

Viewing Forecast For

Lake District
Wednesday 13th May 2026
Last updated Wed 13th May 26 at 7:00AM

Summary for all mountain areas

Cold for the time of year, with a cyclonic and unstable north-westerly bringing an increasingly widespread showery day across the hills. Showers heavy, with hail and risk of isolated thunder. Snow falling above around 700m. Gusty north-westerly winds, particularly strong and turbulent in and around the showers.

Headline for Lake District

Another cold, blustery day. Showers; heavy with hail and snow. Risk thunder.

How windy? (On the summits)

Northwesterly 25 to 35mph, may lessen a little, but then increase again later in day.

Effect of the wind on you?

Significant wind chill, blustery on high terrain, at times affecting comfortable walking and balance, buffeting gusts.

How Wet?

Showery, hail, snow high tops

Showers all day, most frequent toward coastal fells early morning, but soon widespread, heavy bursts with hail, risk isolated thunder; snow at times falling on tops mostly above 700m.

Cloud on the hills?

Varying over tops

Banks of cloud often capping higher slopes particularly western areas above 800m in the morning, lifting higher then varying around showers, ragged patches to 600m, but clearing even high tops for periods.

Chance of cloud free summits?

60%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Brief bursts of sun and intermittently excellent visibility, but suddenly very poor during showers, appalling if in snow/hail and cloud on tops.

How Cold? (at 750m)

2C rising to 4C. Wind chill feeling like -10C in stronger speeds.

Freezing Level

Around 900m early morning, rising above summits, but lowering briefly near high tops in showers.

Viewing Forecast For

Lake District
Thursday 14th May 2026
Last updated Wed 13th May 26 at 7:00AM

How windy? (On the summits)

Northwesterly 20 to 25mph, some stronger squally gusts around showers.

Effect of the wind on you?

Considerable wind chill for mid-May. At times walking becoming uncomfortable in exposure on high tops.

How Wet?

Showers forming, some hail.

A mostly dry and bright start, but clouds will bubble up, with scattered showers forming from late morning. Most widespread afternoon, some heavy with hail.

Cloud on the hills?

Varied, but banks forming tops in showers.

Given flow direction, generally well elevated bases with tops often clear. However, in and around showers, banks may form above 600-900m. Sleet or even wet snow tops.

Chance of cloud free summits?

60%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Sunniest during early part of morning, before skies fill in with cloud. Visibility excellent, but temporarily poor or very poor in showers.

How Cold? (at 750m)

3C. Feeling like -7C directly in wind on higher tops.

Freezing Level

Close to top of Scafell Pike

Viewing Forecast For

Lake District
Friday 15th May 2026
Last updated Wed 13th May 26 at 7:00AM

How windy? (On the summits)

North to northwesterly 25 to 30mph at dawn, strongest in the east, easing down to 10 to 20mph through day.

Effect of the wind on you?

Blustery start to the day, with considerable wind chill and some buffeting, but soon becoming mostly small.

How Wet?

Showers mostly in the east.

A scattering of showers forming, mainly clustered across easternmost fells. Little if any in the west. Snow across the tops initially. Some hail.

Cloud on the hills?

May be fairly frequent patches tops

Patches of cloud may cover the tops fairly frequently through the day, particularly westernmost fells where flow comes in off Irish Sea. Tops clearer well inland.

Chance of cloud free summits?

60%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Patchy sun, best early morning and west coast afternoon. Visibility very good, but lowering in showers.

How Cold? (at 750m)

Close to 0C at dawn, lifting to +3C. Feeling near-10C directly in early wind.

Freezing Level

700-800m at dawn, but lifting above the tops.

Planning Outlook

Staying notably chilly for mid-May through this week as air from the north-northwest prevails, with showers heavy at times and containing hail with snow over the tops, but over the weekend a front will edge in and bring a change to westerly winds. Next week may see ridging across England and Wales giving drier conditions, but occasional rain and blustery south-westerly winds for Scotland.