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

Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.

Click here to download the latest PDF Last Updated Wed 6th May 26 at 4:26PM
View our detailed version Last Updated Wed 6th May 26 at 4:26PM

Viewing Forecast For

Lake District
Thursday 7th May 2026
Last updated Wed 6th May 26 at 4:26PM

Summary for all mountain areas

South to southwesterly winds giving considerable chill factor over high terrain, up to gale-force over coastal northwest Highlands. Areas of showery rain, most widespread into the afternoon when some clusters of heavier rain forming. Rain generally becomes more persistent toward northwest Scotland.

Headline for Lake District

Breezy. Patchy showers, an odd heavier burst.

How windy? (On the summits)

Southerly 15 to 25mph, some variability during day, gusty at times particularly around showers.

Effect of the wind on you?

Fairly small, though blustery and feeling chilly in exposure on high terrain.

How Wet?

Showery rain, mostly afternoon

Showery rain affecting many fells, the greatest chance in the afternoon, when some locally heavier showers are possible for a few hours, but some places avoid them completely to stay largely dry.

Cloud on the hills?

Mostly high terrain, variable lower south

The high tops shrouded much of morning, variable lower cloud, to 600m early, always lowest southern slopes. A lifting trend through the day, to the tops or fleeing breaks during dry periods, but also returning above 700m during rain, always most extensive south.

Chance of cloud free summits?

50%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Glimpses of sunshine. Variable visibility, excellent where dry, but turning briefly poor in rain.

How Cold? (at 750m)

2C rising to 7C. Directly in the wind, feeling like -3C at first, near 0C by afternoon.

Freezing Level

Above the summits.

Viewing Forecast For

Lake District
Friday 8th May 2026
Last updated Wed 6th May 26 at 4:26PM

How windy? (On the summits)

Southwesterly 15-20mph at dawn, a westerly shift and easing, perhaps to a lull for several hours afternoon-evening.

Effect of the wind on you?

Mostly small, though an inconvenient breeze over the tops early in the day.

How Wet?

Local showers, risk heavy

Showers affect the fells on and off, odd heavier showers, but may remain well-scattered. A chance of remaining more often dry in some areas, perhaps widely.

Cloud on the hills?

Variable but lifting to upper slopes with breaks

Banks at various heights in the morning, most tops shrouded, and some fog in sheltered valleys. Bases lift, largely above 700-800m, breaks too but clinging to higher terrain around rain, with fleeting ragged patches some lower slopes.

Chance of cloud free summits?

60%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Glimpses of sun. Variable visibility, very good during drier periods, may be very poor in heavier showers.

How Cold? (at 750m)

5C rising to 9C.

Freezing Level

Above the summits.

Viewing Forecast For

Lake District
Saturday 9th May 2026
Last updated Wed 6th May 26 at 4:26PM

How windy? (On the summits)

Northeasterly 20 to 25mph, gusty around higher tops.

Effect of the wind on you?

Feeling rather blustery and chilly over high terrain, noticeable gusty spots.

How Wet?

Risk patchy rain or local showers

Some uncertainty - patchy rain or drizzle possible for a time, mostly north and eastern Lakes, tending to fizzle out, but some rain may linger, perhaps an odd heavier shower afternoon.

Cloud on the hills?

Varied cloud banks, tending to lift

Banks of cloud may cover higher fells particularly in northern areas, risk frequently for a few hours. Tending to lift and may break above many tops, but some patches may linger above 800m.

Chance of cloud free summits?

60%

Sunshine and air clarity?

A veil of high cloud likely to persist, some weak sun. Visibility very good, but reduced if rain occurs locally.

How Cold? (at 750m)

2C rising to 4 or 5C. Feeling near -5C if exposed to wind.

Freezing Level

Above the summits, but highest tops may start near freezing point.

Planning Outlook

A notably chilly outlook for May into the weekend and early next week, with higher Scottish mountains almost continuously below freezing point possibly onward through much of next week as northwesterly air prevails. After a warmer end to this week, higher tops in England and Wales also dropping intermittently to freezing point from the weekend onward. Wind-speed varying day-to-day, but prepare for often considerable chill-factor on all mountains. Some frost overnight into valleys when skies are clear. Broadly showery through mid-May, plus some fronts bringing persistent rain most common in northwestern Scotland, often falling as snow on mountain tops, sometimes to below 600m. Drier intervals too, some days with fewer showers and broken cloud lifting above the summits, varying locally day-to-day.