Lake District
The entire Lake District National Park, taking in all major summits, including Scafell, Helvellyn, Skiddaw, the Langdales and Old Man of Coniston.
Thursday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
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
Thursday 21st May 2026
Last updated
Wed 20th May 26 at
3:59PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Morning rain in Scotland passes north, afternoon drizzle, rain returns in evening to central/west Munros; slick rock surfaces. Early rain soon clears English hills, afternoon drizzle in Lakeland. Morning drizzle in Wales fades, hills increasingly clear. Strong gusty wind too, local gale-force gusts. Warm Pennines and Wales.
Headline for Lake District
Rain turns to drizzle, extensive cloud; strong gusty wind
How windy? (On the summits)
Southwesterly 30-35mph. Gusts to 40-45mph over tops and elevated passes, also downslope to the east early.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking with buffeting gusts affecting stability well into the day, including to lower slopes early in the day; notable wind chill.
How Wet?
Morning rain, afternoon drizzle
Several hours of rain in the morning, briefly heavy and persistent on south and western fells. Rain breaks into a persistent drizzle over tops and on south and west slopes by afternoon, only fading later afternoon; north slopes soon drier. Some patches of rain may return later in the day briefly.
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 too, but improving, bases rising towards 600m, or higher later in the day. Some breaks possible around dusk.
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)
8C rising to 10 or 11C, little change with added height. Staying elevated into night and may rise further on upper slopes (valleys will cool). Feeling just above freezing in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Friday 22nd May 2026
Last updated
Wed 20th May 26 at
3:59PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Southerly 30-35mph; gusty, to 40mph early, downslope too. Easing to 20-30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking, particularly early; buffeting gusts challenge stability, lower terrain too, feeling chilly. Easing slightly.
How Wet?
Likely dry
Chance of some spots of rain here and there, but the fells probably dry during daylight.
Cloud on the hills?
Patchy banks on high terrain, breaking up
Some early banks of cloud at various heights, most likely south and west fells. Cloud tending to increase but also lifting, to banks above 700m, and tending to break later in the day.
Chance of cloud free summits?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mixed cloud and sun, some sunnier windows but weakened by high cloud. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 750m)
11 or 12C, mildest eastern fells where may reach 13C. Feeling just above freezing in early wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Saturday 23rd May 2026
Last updated
Wed 20th May 26 at
3:59PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Southwesterly 15-20mph, notable gusts over tops and elevated passes.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, though gusts in exposure will be a nuisance.
How Wet?
Some drizzle south and west
Some fine drizzle on the high tops and upper terrain from Coniston to Pillar. Drizzle will tend to rise to just highest terrain through morning, though may linger atop Scafell into afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, rising and breaking
May be fairly extensive in the morning above 600-700m, lowest on slopes towards Irish Sea, perhaps to 300m at dawn. Lifting with a breaking trend, to just banks above 700m; north fells likely clear.
Chance of cloud free summits?
Rising to 80% north, 50% highest tops
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny, though weakened by high cloud. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 750m)
8C rising to 11 or 12C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Pressure rises into the weekend, facilitating south-southwesterly flow; much milder temperatures arriving, likely warm in England and Wales with wind easing. Staying blustery in north Scotland, gusty too, including to lower slopes early; still feeling chilly on high Scottish tops. Patchy rain and hill cloud will continue to affect Scotland as well, most often in the west. Becoming dry and sunny England and Wales, some early low fog possible, particularly on aspects near the Irish Sea, but this dissipating soon after sunrise. Higher pressure is indicated into next week as well with hot temperatures: valleys approaching the mid-to-high 20s. Some hill cloud, mostly north and west, but most hills seeing plenty of sunshine. Only rare spots of light rain if any.