Lake District
The entire Lake District National Park, taking in all major summits, including Scafell, Helvellyn, Skiddaw, the Langdales and Old Man of Coniston.
Saturday'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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Saturday 13th December 2025
Last updated
Fri 12th Dec 25 at
4:13PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Increasingly severe conditions Scottish Highlands: gusty storm-force winds on high terrain and becoming wet from the west. Gales in England and Wales, severe from Snowdonia towards Lakeland/north Pennines; drizzly rain on western slopes, patches drifting east. Driest south Pennines.
Headline for Lake District
Wind strengthens, severe gales in exposure; damp west slopes
How windy? (On the summits)
Southwesterly 35-40mph soon strengthening, reaching a gusty 55-65mph afternoon, strongest gusts approaching 70mph late in the day and into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Increasingly challenging from mid-elevations up, mobility becomes difficult on higher terrain, severe gusts late in the day including some less exposed areas; significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Drizzly south/west fells, spots in the wind elsewhere
Patchy spots of rain or drizzle, may be often damp southern areas, though total rainfall small. Later in day, increasing risk more frequent in these areas, becoming more widespread after nightfall.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent southwest
Varied banks of cloud, but may linger over south and southwestern Lakeland fells, to some mid-slopes near coasts. Higher base northward, some breaks above 600-700m, perhaps some exposed tops for a time. Lowering widely later in rain.
Chance of cloud free summits?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Early glimpses of sun but high cloud thickening, becoming largely cloudy. Hazy south, visibility reduced in rain, but more often good further north.
How Cold? (at 750m)
2C at and before dawn, soon rising steadily to reach 5C by dusk, warming another several degrees overnight. Wind chill feeling around -10 to -12C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Sunday 14th December 2025
Last updated
Fri 12th Dec 25 at
4:13PM
How windy? (On the summits)
A gusty southwesterly, sustained winds between 45-55mph, may strengthen further over tops, gusts of 65mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strong gusty winds will challenge balance and stability all day, including downslope. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain most of the day
Persistent rain across the high fells and often south and western slopes as well. Some brief lulls in the rain eastern fells but fine drizzle likely continues drifting over high tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Blanket cloud shrouds most fells above 700m. Lower on west and south fells, often down to 400m or lower in rain. Bases always higher Dale Head to Blencathra group, though lower banks may form here at times too.
Chance of cloud free summits?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
No sunshine expected. Often dull with poor visibility west and south, better during clear periods east.
How Cold? (at 750m)
6 to 8C; variable and similar temperatures at all altitudes. Feeling like -5C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Monday 15th December 2025
Last updated
Fri 12th Dec 25 at
4:13PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Southwesterly 20-25mph from dawn, stronger pre-dawn, easing to around 15mph or less and variable.
Effect of the wind on you?
Uncomfortable winds early ease to fairly small effects.
How Wet?
Mostly south/east, risk more widely
Frequent or persistent rain most of the day from Coniston to Helvellyn. Patches will drift further north and perhaps set in more widely at times.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
A blanket of cloud shrouds most fells from middle slopes up most or all day, lowest bases from Coniston to Helvellyn. Some higher breaks possible around Blencathra, possibly a break off the tops, but this uncertain.
Chance of cloud free summits?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little sunshine expected. Visibility may be largely poor if rain is widespread.
How Cold? (at 750m)
4 or 5C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
A brief spell of drier-brighter weather on Tuesday, but otherwise staying unsettled into next week as southwesterly winds prevail and low pressure systems pass to the northwest of Scotland; sustained gales over the mountains, severe or stormy for periods. Bands of rain will regularly pass eastward across most areas, showery in the west between wetter spells with hail at times. Expect very wet ground conditions and further flooding of streams and some rivers. Mild for the time of year, temperatures only just below freezing intermittently on higher Scottish tops, even here will experience spells above freezing with thawing, any lying snow patchy, but beware some icy surfaces on the very highest tops where some refreezing occurs. Detail becomes very uncertain after next weekend though temperatures likely to drop.