Lake District
The entire Lake District National Park, taking in all major summits, including Scafell, Helvellyn, Skiddaw, the Langdales and Old Man of Coniston.
Friday'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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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
Friday 23rd January 2026
Last updated
Thu 22nd Jan 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales widespread across all mountain areas, powerful turbulent gusts downslope toward the west in places. Prolonged upland snow southeastern Highlands into southern Cairngorms, increasingly rain to mid-heights. Further rain also spreads north across Wales then the Pennines. Low cloud widely.
Headline for Lake District
Windy, gales on tops. A little rain or sleet, low cloud.
How windy? (On the summits)
Easterly 35 to 45mph, generally strengthening during the morning, to reach 50mph at times onward into afternoon, stronger gusts in places near and west of higher tops, elevated passes too.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous conditions, stability challenging in exposure with significant buffeting gusts. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Patchy rain/sleet east fells
Occasional patchy rain on south and east fells, falling as sleet on high terrain. Largely dry for a few hours toward northwest. Later afternoon onward into evening, some more persistent rain, wet snow high tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over tops
Shrouding the high fells all day, bases may lift at times, highest bases on northwest fells where slopes may often be clear of cloud. Lowering from south in rain later.
Chance of cloud free summits?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, some brighter moments western areas early. Visibility poor in precipitation, a general haze, locally better west.
How Cold? (at 750m)
1 or 2C. Wind chill feels as cold as -15C.
Freezing Level
Around the high fells most of the day, 800-900m in the morning eastern areas, but tending to lift just above freezing to most high tops.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Saturday 24th January 2026
Last updated
Thu 22nd Jan 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Southeasterly 35 to 50mph, very gusty in passes and downslope to west.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking in exposure, frequent buffeting gusts not just on highest terrain; significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Intermittent rain, snow high tops
Rain on and off, falling as sleet or snow over higher fells especially eastern areas, mostly above 700m. Patchier smaller amounts westward.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive over tops
Covering most higher fells all day above 700m, lower at times southeastern Lakeland; some breaks at times higher up toward northwestern areas.
Chance of cloud free summits?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, some brighter moments westward. Poor visibility in rain, very poor if in snow and cloud on tops.
How Cold? (at 750m)
0 to 2C. Directly in the wind feeling like -12 to -15C.
Freezing Level
800m particularly eastern Lakeland, slightly higher westwards, may be above some upper slopes toward far west.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Sunday 25th January 2026
Last updated
Thu 22nd Jan 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Southeasterly, speed may vary, in range 20 to 35mph, some sudden gusty spots through high passes and downslope.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery over most high terrain, in places more frequent buffeting not just on the tops. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Patchy rain, snow tops
Occasional rain, sleet or snow falling above 700m. Risk of some heavier bursts over south and southwestern fells at times.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive over tops
Often covering much higher terrain above 700-800m, sometimes lower in east Lakes. Higher bases and some breaks toward west.
Chance of cloud free summits?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, hazy. Poor visibility over many hills.
How Cold? (at 750m)
0 or 1C. Feeling like -8 to -12C in the wind.
Freezing Level
800m, locally slightly higher toward the west, may drop to 600m later in day.
Planning Outlook
East to southeasterlies continue through the weekend and onward into next week, frequently strong to gale-force over the mountains, giving severe chill factor. Below freezing across high terrain in Scotland, and into early next week a lowering freezing level over hills in England and Wales. Frequent or persistent snowfall over east and southern Scottish mountains, rain on lower slopes causing flooding in the short term. Patchier and small amounts reaching coastal regions in west-northwest Scotland. Areas of rain and increasingly hill snow push across England and Wales as low pressure remains dominant. Low cloud often covering many hills.