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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Heavy snow and hail showers, isolated lightning
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail often falling to lower slopes. Risk of very localised thunder and lightning.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Heavy snow and hail showers, isolated lightning
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail often falling to lower slopes. Risk of very localised thunder and lightning.
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
Wednesday 13th May 2026
Last updated
Tue 12th May 26 at
4:35PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Cold for the time of year, with a cyclonic and unstable north-westerly bringing an increasingly widespread showery day across the hills. Showers heavy, with hail and risk of isolated thunder. Snow falling above around 700m. Gusty north-westerly winds, particularly strong and turbulent in and around the showers.
Headline for Lake District
Another cold, blustery day. Showers; heavy with hail and snow. Risk thunder.
How windy? (On the summits)
Northwesterly 25 to 35mph, may lessen a little, but then increase again later in day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill, blustery on high terrain, at times affecting comfortable walking and balance, buffeting gusts.
How Wet?
Showery, hail, snow high tops
Showers all day, most frequent toward coastal fells early morning, but soon widespread, heavy bursts with hail, risk isolated thunder; snow at times falling on tops mostly above 700m.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying over tops
Banks of cloud often capping higher slopes particularly western areas above 800m in the morning, lifting higher then varying around showers, ragged patches to 600m, but clearing even high tops for periods.
Chance of cloud free summits?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun and intermittently excellent visibility, but suddenly very poor during showers, appalling if in snow/hail and cloud on tops.
How Cold? (at 750m)
2C rising to 4C. Wind chill feeling like -10C in stronger speeds.
Freezing Level
Around 900m early morning, rising above summits, but lowering briefly near high tops in showers.
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Thursday 14th May 2026
Last updated
Tue 12th May 26 at
4:35PM
How windy? (On the summits)
North-westerly 15 to 25mph
Effect of the wind on you?
Feeling cold for mid May, with considerable chill in the north-westerly wind.
How Wet?
Showers forming, some hail.
A mostly dry and bright start, but clouds will bubble up, with scattered showers forming from late morning. Most widespread afternoon, some heavy with hail.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, but banks forming tops in showers.
Given flow direction, generally well elevated bases with tops often clear. However, in and around showers, banks may form above 600-900m. Sleet or even wet snow tops.
Chance of cloud free summits?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunniest during early part of morning, before skies fill in with cloud. Visibility excellent, but temporarily poor or very poor in showers.
How Cold? (at 750m)
3C
Freezing Level
Close to top of Scafell Pike
Viewing Forecast For
Lake District
Friday 15th May 2026
Last updated
Tue 12th May 26 at
4:35PM
How windy? (On the summits)
North to north-westerly 25 to 30mph at dawn, strongest in the east, easing down to 10 to 20mph through day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery start to the day, with considerable wind chill and some buffeting, but soon becoming mostly small.
How Wet?
Showers mostly in the east.
A scattering of showers forming, mainly clustered across easternmost fells. Little if any in the west. Snow across the tops initially. Some hail.
Cloud on the hills?
May be fairly frequent patches tops
Patches of cloud may cover the tops fairly frequently through the day, particularl westernmost fells where flow comes in off Irish Sea. Tops clearer well inland.
Chance of cloud free summits?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sun, best early morning and west coast afternoon. Visibility very good, but lowering in showers.
How Cold? (at 750m)
Close to zero at dawn, lifting to plus 3C.
Freezing Level
700-800m at dawn, but lifting above the tops.
Planning Outlook
Staying notably chilly for mid-May through this week as air from the north-northwest prevails, with showers heavy at times and containing hail with snow over the tops, but over the weekend a front will edge in and bring a change to westerly winds. Next week may see ridging across England and Wales giving drier conditions, but occasional rain and blustery south-westerly winds for Scotland.