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
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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 12th March 2026
Last updated
Wed 11th Mar 26 at
12:53PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Severe gale or storm force upland winds ahead of an active slowly southeastward moving front, which will bring widespread heavy rain and fog to almost all mountain areas. Across Scotland, behind the front, squally hail and snow showers.
Headline for Lake District
Upland storm force wind; constant rain, and fog.
How windy? (On the summits)
Southwesterly 60 to temporarily 80mph. Will ease to 45mph from west late in day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Very difficult conditions. On higher areas, where exposed any mobility challenging. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Persistent, increasingly heavy rain
Rain more or less constant all day; turning heavy or torrential for periods. Becoming very wet underfoot and streams in spate.
Cloud on the hills?
Incessant fog; highest cloud base N/NE fells
Shrouding even many lower slopes all day. Generally highest cloud base toward the northeast but even here not often above 600m.
Chance of cloud free summits?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunless: dull and misty.
How Cold? (at 750m)
5C. Will feel as cold as minus -12C directly in wind. Will drop abruptly toward 1C later afternoon.
Freezing Level
Above the summits. Toward or after dusk, abruptly 800m.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Friday 13th March 2026
Last updated
Wed 11th Mar 26 at
12:53PM
How windy? (On the summits)
West to southwesterly 35 to 45mph, likely strongest in the morning, squally gusts around showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging walking conditions over exposed higher terrain, considerable buffeting and significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Hail and snow showers, risk thunder
Showers with hail, probably merging into constant precipitation over a couple of hours, Snow falling toward lower elevations in morning, then mostly rain below 450m. Isolated lightning.
Cloud on the hills?
Covering higher fells most or perhaps all day
Cloud base frequently changing: at times shafts of cloud to 600m or lower near coast, often capping western fells above 800m, but some breaks to the higher tops, more often eastwards.
Chance of cloud free summits?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun, most often in east. Visibility varying between intermittently very good, and at least briefly appalling when in snow/hail and cloud.
How Cold? (at 750m)
-2C rising to around 0C afternoon. Feeling like -12 to -15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
400m from dawn, rising to 600-700m into afternoon, slightly higher
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Saturday 14th March 2026
Last updated
Wed 11th Mar 26 at
12:53PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Southwesterly, ranging from 30 to 40 or perhaps 45mph. (Most likely gradually strengthening through day.)
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking where exposed across higher areas. Balance may be difficult.. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Hail and snow showers.
Showers: may be frequent (sometimes merging one into another and whiteout) morning, but should gradually ease. Expect hail and above 450m, snow. Chance widespread precipitation by dusk.
Cloud on the hills?
Almost constantly covering higher fells; lowest cloud base morning
Varied cloud base: sometimes below 300-450m near precipitation but periods when most cloud above 600 to 800m. Generally highest cloud base north and northeastern fells.
Chance of cloud free summits?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, mainly lower slopes northeast Cumbria. Hazy, and very poor visibility in snow
How Cold? (at 750m)
0C. Will feel as cold as minus 12C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
750m
Planning Outlook
Further bouts of upland gales over the next few days. Precipitation on most mountains almost daily, focussed on western mountains. Freeze thaw cycles will occur: on the Scottish Highlands, thaw periods fairly brief and snow accumulating on many slopes. Further south, lying snow more intermittent as periods of thaw will be lengthier. Temperature levels will rise from about next Tuesday.