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
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 cloud and winter sun
Mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sun, patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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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 cloud and winter sun
Mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sun, patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Thursday 1st January 2026
Last updated
Wed 31st Dec 25 at
3:55PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Cold north-northwesterly winds, widely gale force over the mountains, difficult conditions with severe chill factor on Scottish high tops. Showery snow and hail frequent in northern Scotland. Rare showers central Scotland and northern England. Early rain and hill snow followed by showers in Wales.
Headline for Lake District
Gales on high tops, largely dry, many tops often clear.
How windy? (On the summits)
Northwesterly 35 to 40mph, in places 45-50mph at least in gusts on higher fells.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking, frequent buffeting over most high terrain, more challenging in exposure higher up, difficult to maintain balance some ridges. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rare brief snow showers
Overnight, a band of showery rain, or falling as snow above 600m, clearing south before first light. Largely dry day, isolated brief showers with snow and hail may push in from coast. Greater risk of scattered snow showers into the evening and night.
Cloud on the hills?
Patches mostly western tops
Patchy cloud drifting over higher slopes mostly western Lakeland above 700-800m, rarely grazing higher tops further east.
Chance of cloud free summits?
60% west to 80% east.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchwork of sunshine, some high cloud. Visibility very good, occasionally reduced in showers.
How Cold? (at 750m)
0 or -1C. Wind chill feeling like -10 to -13C.
Freezing Level
500 to 700m, highest near to coasts. Into night dropping sub-zero to lower slopes.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Friday 2nd January 2026
Last updated
Wed 31st Dec 25 at
3:55PM
How windy? (On the summits)
North-northwesterly 25 to 35mph, risk over 40mph for a few hours from dawn.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill over the fells. Strenuous walking and balance affected on exposed tops and ridges.
How Wet?
Precipitation unlikely
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly little
Patches clipping some high tops occasionally, but mostly clear fells.
Chance of cloud free summits?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 750m)
-3 or -4C (-6C highest summits). Wind chill feeling like -15C on tops.
Freezing Level
Most terrain frozen, barely rising above zero inland valleys; just above freezing up to 300-400m nearest coast.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Saturday 3rd January 2026
Last updated
Wed 31st Dec 25 at
3:55PM
How windy? (On the summits)
North to northwesterly 25 to 35mph, at times 40mph higher tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Continued significant wind chill over the hills. Frequent buffeting on exposed higher terrain.
How Wet?
Precipitation unlikely
Cloud on the hills?
Little if any
Rare patches on some higher slopes, mainly north Lakeland tops.
Chance of cloud free summits?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 750m)
-4 or -5C. Wind chill feeling like -17C in exposure on high tops.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen, staying sub-zero from valleys upward. Nearest the coast, partial thawing in sunlight to 300-400m.
Planning Outlook
Terrain extensively frozen onward into the weekend and early next week at least; sub-zero temperatures from the glens upward in Scotland and some valleys inland in northern England. Substantial fresh snow accumulations in the North West Highlands and Cairngorms, heavy showers streaming in from the north also containing hail. Largely dry and sunny from central Scotland to northern England. Hail and snow showers will run into north and west Wales from the sea. Bitter northerly winds, up to gale force higher tops, tending to lessen into Sunday. Some fluctuation of freezing level during next week, but some fronts moving in from northwest likely bring snowfall to hills at times more widely.