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
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.
Heavy rain
Near-constant heavy rain, sometimes torrential over the mountains, very wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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.
Heavy rain
Near-constant heavy rain, sometimes torrential over the mountains, very wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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
Thursday 18th December 2025
Last updated
Wed 17th Dec 25 at
4:35PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Scotland: South to south-west gales bringing hill fog and showers, before band of heavy, perhaps squally, rain moves up from the southwest in afternoon, snow tops. England and Wales: Heavy rain spreading north with hill fog becoming extensive with strong to gale force southerly winds.
Headline for Lake District
Southerly gales with showers giving way to heavy rain from the south.
How windy? (On the summits)
Southerly 35 to 50mph, but direction and speed likely to vary, possibly lower speeds for periods during day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Expect arduous walking conditions and considerable wind chill on higher fells, but may lessen for periods.
How Wet?
Heavy rain likely setting in
Patchy showers mostly coastal areas, possibly drier for a time inland. Then persistent heavy rain likely moving in from southwest during day. Breaking up into showery rain and hail (snow high tops) evening into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, becoming extensive
Patchy cloud banks, most persistent south-facing areas, some breaks north Lakes in morning, but as rain sets in, widely lowering over hills.
Chance of cloud free summits?
30% dropping below 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast, varied layers of high cloud, but visibility good where dry; becoming murky if rain sets in.
How Cold? (at 750m)
3 or 4C, then lowering to 1C into night. Wind chill feeling as cold as -10C on tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, then dropping into the night to 800-900m.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Friday 19th December 2025
Last updated
Wed 17th Dec 25 at
4:35PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Southwesterly 45 to 60mph, tending to lessen a little during day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions over higher fells, frequent buffeting from modest elevations upward. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery, hail, snow highest tops
Showers most frequent west and southwestern fells, with hail, falling as snow on highest tops above 800m. Tending to fade during afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly high tops with breaks
Varying cloud bases, but often capping high tops above 800m in morning, some breaks more often afternoon. Clearer eastern Lakeland fells much of day.
Chance of cloud free summits?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sun, most often N/E Lakes. Visibility often very good, reduced in showers.
How Cold? (at 750m)
2 or 3C. Feeling like -12C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Close to highest summits above 900m.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Saturday 20th December 2025
Last updated
Wed 17th Dec 25 at
4:35PM
How windy? (On the summits)
South to south-easterly 20 to 30mph, but perhaps exceeding 40mph westernmost fells for a time.
Effect of the wind on you?
A very blustery and gusty airflow, arduous towards west coast especially, with considerable buffeting and wind chill.
How Wet?
Patchy rain, may become persistent.
As a front edges in from the west, patchy rain and drizzle will likely become fairly widespread increasingly from the west coast across the fells through the day.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, especially in the west.
Fells will be very likely covered in fog throughout much of the day. Lowest bases western and southern fells.
Chance of cloud free summits?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little weak sun possible should cloud layers thin, mostly likely in the east. Visibility good or very good, but poor in any rain. General haze west coast.
How Cold? (at 750m)
3 or 4C
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
South-southwesterly winds widely remain gale force over the mountains later this week and through into Saturday, severe upland gales for periods. Showery on Friday, most frequent in western Scotland with hail, also snow over tops. Another belt of persistent rain likely arrives onto western hills into Saturday, snow only highest Scottish tops. A switch to east-southeasterly winds by Sunday into early next week, some residual rain and high-level snow, but a drier theme develops and favouring chillier conditions into the Christmas period.