Mountain Weather
Information Service
Lake District Forecast

Lake District

The entire Lake District National Park, taking in all major summits, including Scafell, Helvellyn, Skiddaw, the Langdales and Old Man of Coniston.

Tuesday's Forecast

Moderate breeze, locally gusty
Patchy rain or drizzle
Poor visibility
Chilly

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Click here to download the latest PDF Last Updated Mon 20th Jan 25 at 4:00PM Last Updated Mon 20th Jan 25 at 4:00PM
View our low-graphics version Last Updated Mon 20th Jan 25 at 4:00PM Last Updated Mon 20th Jan 25 at 4:00PM

Viewing Forecast For

Lake District
Tuesday 21st January 2025
Last updated Mon 20th Jan 25 at 4:00PM

Summary for all mountain areas

Below freezing on Scottish tops. Noticeably chilly in the breeze. A cluster of showers with hill snow moves across the Highlands early in the day, but clears to be often dry and bright. Showers continue near to western coasts, some moving inland. A slow-moving front over England & north Wales brings grey and damp conditions.

Headline for Lake District

Drizzly rain, low cloud, better northeast. Moderate breeze.

How windy? (On the summits)

Southwesterly 15-20mph, to 25mph over exposed higher fells.

Effect of the wind on you?

Fairly small, but marked wind chill where exposed on higher slopes. May start to affect balance on some ridges.

How Wet?

Generally damp, some drizzly rain

Feeling damp much of the day where in and around low cloud, particularly western Lakeland. Some drizzly rain more widely at times. Least amounts northeast Lakes. Snow grains on higher tops above 800m.

Cloud on the hills?

Most fells shrouded, lower along coasts

Hills often shrouded, particularly on west and south-facing slopes. Bases reach down to lower terrain during rain. Occasional moments of clearing in the northeast, north from Helvellyn.

Chance of cloud free summits?

10% south/west, 20% north/east.

Sunshine and air clarity?

Little to no sunshine. Mostly poor visibility in drizzle, local improvements in north & northeast Lakes

How Cold? (at 750m)

2C. Wind chill feeling like -5 to -8C.

Freezing Level

Near or just above higher summits.

Viewing Forecast For

Lake District
Wednesday 22nd January 2025
Last updated Mon 20th Jan 25 at 4:00PM

How windy? (On the summits)

Variable direction, 10mph and under. Occasionally 15mph on higher terrain.

Effect of the wind on you?

Little to none

How Wet?

Mostly dry

Light early morning rain possible, clearing soon after dawn. Possibility of isolated spells of light rain showers near coast.

Cloud on the hills?

High terrain in cloud, occasional clearing

High terrain frequently covered. Some moments of clearing will come and go.

Chance of cloud free summits?

30%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Glimpses of sun during clear moments. Higher clouds may weaken sun. Good visibility.

How Cold? (at 750m)

Mostly around 0C, some protected areas a degree or two cooler.

Freezing Level

700-800m

Viewing Forecast For

Lake District
Thursday 23rd January 2025
Last updated Mon 20th Jan 25 at 4:00PM

How windy? (On the summits)

Southerly turning west-southwesterly; speeds likely increasing 30 to 45mph, risk 55-60mph for a time, suddenly squally.

Effect of the wind on you?

Increasingly arduous conditions, frequent buffeting where exposed; gusts may knock you over. Significant wind chill.

How Wet?

Rain and upland snow setting in

A little patchy rain and summit snow at first, then rain developing from the southwest, abruptly heavy, increasingly snow over fells to 600m. Continuing during afternoon, then showers from dusk.

Cloud on the hills?

Most persistent south

Cloud banks covering mostly south-facing slopes in the morning, may be extensive to lower elevations South Lakes. Some varied breaks for a time in north. Cloud lowering widely in rain/snow.

Chance of cloud free summits?

20%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Mostly cloudy, high-cloud soon thickening. Visibility may start good, but reducing to be poor in rain, appalling in snow on tops.

How Cold? (at 750m)

0 or 1C. Wind chill feeling like -10 to -15C.

Freezing Level

Around 800m, may drop slightly lower in heavier precipitation.

Planning Outlook

Deteriorating later this week - a series of storm systems coming in from the Atlantic through late January bringing frequently severe conditions to the mountains. Thursday sees winds reach gale force on many tops with a spell of heavy rain and upland snow developing from the west. By Friday, severe conditions from lower elevations upward, hurricane-force winds over the mountains, plus extensive rain and hill snow. Gales continue into Saturday, severe for the Highlands. Snow is likely to accumulate over Scottish mountains during the next week or so with only brief thawing. More variable temperatures for England and Wales with cycles of freeze and thaw. Atlantic patterns likely prevail into early February.