Lake District
The entire Lake District National Park, taking in all major summits, including Scafell, Helvellyn, Skiddaw, the Langdales and Old Man of Coniston.
Wednesday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Wednesday 14th January 2026
Last updated
Tue 13th Jan 26 at
3:57PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Cold westerly winds, backing southerly and strengthening ahead of a front which will move into western Scotland during the afternoon, with snow setting in for western mountains, patchier further east. Ahead of this front, scattered snow showers. Mostly dry for England and Wales until front edges precipitation into west later.
Headline for Lake District
Mostly dry, but winds backing southerly and strengthening. Risk snow later in day.
How windy? (On the summits)
Westerly 25mph morning. Then backing southerly and strengthening to 40, perhaps 50mph, by dusk.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small morning. Then walking increasingly difficult and wind chill becoming significant.
How Wet?
Mostly dry, until later in day.
Mostly dry, but the threat of snow, rain lower slopes, setting in late in day from west, mainly by or after dusk.
Cloud on the hills?
Probably remaining extensive on most or all higher areas
Cloud sometimes forming below 450m near the coast, but cloud base generally rising to 600 to 750m - possibly a few breaks to higher summits.
Chance of cloud free summits?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sunshine, mainly well inland.Becoming overcast from the west. Visibility often very good, but very poor in snow.
How Cold? (at 750m)
0C. Directly in wind will feel as cold as minus 12C.
Freezing Level
800m coastal hills; otherwise 700m. Frost many valleys after dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Thursday 15th January 2026
Last updated
Tue 13th Jan 26 at
3:57PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Southwesterly 25 to perhaps in morning 35mph. There may be a lull afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strong enough to make walking arduous where exposed and balance at times difficult. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Heavy hail and snow showers
Succession of rain, hail and above 600m snow showers. Small chance thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Unlikely to clear highest fells
Highest fells almost always cloud covered. Cloud base typically 400 to 700m south lakes and western fells elsewhere and 500 to 800m elsewhere. May occasionally clear higher northern fells.
Chance of cloud free summits?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sunshine. Very varied visibility: sometimes excellent, but very poor in snow.
How Cold? (at 750m)
1C
Freezing Level
900m
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Friday 16th January 2026
Last updated
Tue 13th Jan 26 at
3:57PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Low confidence in track of small scale low. Risk northwesterly 40 to 60mph for a time, before becoming southerly 25mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
High uncertainty over track of small scale low. Risk for a few hours of difficult conditions with significant wind chill, then easing.
How Wet?
Risk morning heavy snow, then drier.
Risk of a spell of heavy rain, and above 500 to 600m, heavy snow during the morning. This feature pulling away to north, leaving drier conditions afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Likely extensive for many hours
Be prepared for extensive hill fog should widespread rain and snow develop. Fells would likely be enveloped in fog for much of the day.
Chance of cloud free summits?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly overcast. Visibility would be widely very poor in rain and snow, should it set in
How Cold? (at 750m)
1C
Freezing Level
900m, but should persistent precipitation develop, would lower to 600m.
Planning Outlook
Very uncertain forecast late Thursday and into Friday, as a small scale and rather potent low pressure system edges northwards across the country on a very uncertain track. May bring a spell of strong winds and upland heavy snowfall overnight and into Friday morning before pulling away to the east. Thereafter, a drier and chilly weekend will follow. Looking further ahead, a colder continental influence may be drawn in on south to east winds, with the snow pack across the Scottish Highlands being enhanced by further spells of snowfall where fronts edge in from the west, whilst further south snow accumulates on higher areas, and occasional falls reach lower slopes.