Lake District
The entire Lake District National Park, taking in all major summits, including Scafell, Helvellyn, Skiddaw, the Langdales and Old Man of Coniston.
Tuesday'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.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
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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.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Tuesday 19th May 2026
Last updated
Mon 18th May 26 at
3:55PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Frequent rain nearly everywhere all day, the rain most persistent west where hill-cloud fills in to low slopes with little improvement. A risk of localised hail and thunder in afternoon showery rain, increasingly wet underfoot, and with slippery rock surfaces. Very windy, gusty gales early including downslope.
Headline for Lake District
Rain most of the day; windy and gusty, early gales
How windy? (On the summits)
Southerly 40-50mph early with strong gusts over tops and downslope to the north. Shifting slightly southwesterly, easing somewhat, as low as 30mph in places but northwestern fells often 35-40mph well into the day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking with buffeting and wind chill in exposure; most powerful gusts early will significantly challenge stability. Easing for a time, but walking will remain strenuous.
How Wet?
Fairly persistent rain
Frequent showers affect the fells most of the day, rain rarely ceasing on south and western slopes even between showers, and also drizzly on summits. Rain possibly more widespread around sunrise. Risk of isolated hail and thunder. A slight easing trend may happen later in the day.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Cloud shrouds the fells to the lower slopes from before dawn, and may well cover the south and west fells all day. A slight lifting trend north and east with time, but unlikely to break above 600-800m.
Chance of cloud free summits?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A few glimpses of sun break out with time in the north and east. Largely poor visibility, some better moments to the north and east, but a haze building later in the day.
How Cold? (at 750m)
5 or 6C early, minimal change with added height. Rising to 7 or 8C. Temperature varies a few degrees in and out of rain. Feeling like -5 to -8C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Wednesday 20th May 2026
Last updated
Mon 18th May 26 at
3:55PM
How windy? (On the summits)
West-southwesterly 25-40mph, may be quite gusty over tops and high passes.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking impeded in exposure and often strenuous and feeling chilly; considerable buffeting possible over high terrain.
How Wet?
Frequent rain, later easing
Light rain or drizzle will be quite persistent over high tops and western slopes much of the day. Broader areas of rain will drift from the west as well, these affecting all fells for periods. Easing later in the day.
Cloud on the hills?
High terrain stays shrouded
Extensive at dawn, to low slopes on west fells. Bases rise after sunrise, reaching above 700m by afternoon, some breaks possible off high eastern summits during dry windows. Western slopes will struggle to clear above 700m; Scafell stays shrouded.
Chance of cloud free summits?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some glimpses of weak sun on east fells. Visibility largely poor, a few better windows to the east.
How Cold? (at 750m)
6C rising to 8 or 9C. Feeling like -2 to -5C in strongest direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Thursday 21st May 2026
Last updated
Mon 18th May 26 at
3:55PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Southwesterly 30-35mph. Strong gusts over tops and elevated passes, also downslope to the east early, to 45mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking with buffeting gusts often challenging stability, including downslope early. Feeling cool.
How Wet?
Morning rain, afternoon drizzle
Several hours of rain in the morning, briefly heavy on south and western fells. Rain breaks into a persistent drizzle on south and west slopes by afternoon, only fading later afternoon. Northern slopes drier sooner.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Cloud shrouds the south and west fells from 200-500m upward most of the day, a general rising trend in bases with time. Very low cloud to the north and east early as well, but improving here, bases rising towards 700m, or higher later in the day.
Chance of cloud free summits?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely overcast and dull with poor visibility. Some glimpses of brighter skies with improved visibility to the north and east.
How Cold? (at 750m)
10 or 11C, little change with added height. May start slightly cooler. Feeling just above freezing in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Damp southwesterlies establish by mid-week; regular periods of rain with only glimpses of sunshine. Wettest on western hills where drizzle may persist between rain and low cloud clings to the hills. Expect slippery exposed rock surfaces and rare (if any) exposed tops in Scotland before the weekend. Indications of rising pressure later in the week, bringing milder and drier conditions to England and Wales. However, some drizzle and low cloud may continue to affect western hills, outbreaks of rain as well, but rising chances of clear hills. Pressure may continue to rise into the weekend, allowing for warmer and sunnier conditions, but some fronts and lingering humidity will continue to bring cloud and rain here and there.