Yorkshire Dales & North Pennines
The entire Yorkshire Dales National Park and North Pennines AONB, including the Three Peaks and Cross Fell, plus Howgills, also south to Forest of Bowland.
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 cloud and winter sun
Mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sun, patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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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 cloud and winter sun
Mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sun, patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
Yorkshire Dales & North Pennines
Friday 2nd January 2026
Last updated
Thu 1st Jan 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Bitterly cold north-northwesterly winds, gale-force over many hills, typically strongest in morning, again late in day Scotland. Frequent snow and hail northern Scotland, blizzard conditions on mountains. Showers also affect Wales. Mostly dry, sunny and clear hills N England & S Scotland. Most terrain frozen.
Headline for Yorkshire Dales & North Pennines
Windy, gales in morning, significant chill factor. Sunshine.
How windy? (On the summits)
North-northwesterly strengthening from before dawn to 40-50mph for a few hours into morning, 60mph N Pennines, then gradually lessening middle of day, to 25-35mph afternoon. Tending to increase slightly again after dark.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill over the fells. Arduous conditions, difficult mobility on exposed high terrain early in day, lessening but remaining blustery in exposure afternoon.
How Wet?
Precipitation unlikely
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly little
Patches clipping high tops occasionally, mainly in north, but mostly clear fells.
Chance of cloud free summits?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 700m)
-3 or -4C. Wind chill feeling like -15 to -18C on tops.
And in the valleys
-3C or locally colder from dawn, rising to max 1 or 2C, then soon dropping back below freezing into the evening.
Viewing Forecast For
Yorkshire Dales & North Pennines
Saturday 3rd January 2026
Last updated
Thu 1st Jan 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the summits)
North to northwesterly 35 to 45mph, strongest higher North Pennines, over 50mph in places higher up.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill, severe higher Pennines. Frequent buffeting on exposed higher terrain, difficult walking in places.
How Wet?
Precipitation unlikely
Cloud on the hills?
Little if any
Occasional patches mainly higher North Pennines. Largely clear Yorks Dales NP.
Chance of cloud free summits?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 700m)
-4 or -5C. Wind chill feeling like -17 to -20C in exposure on high tops.
And in the valleys
Terrain widely frozen, starting locally below -5C from dawn, staying sub-zero in some valleys, max 0 or 1C.
Viewing Forecast For
Yorkshire Dales & North Pennines
Sunday 4th January 2026
Last updated
Thu 1st Jan 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the summits)
North to northwesterly 30 to 35mph, strongest higher North Pennines, 40mph at times.
Effect of the wind on you?
Continued significant wind chill over the hills. Strenuous walking with buffeting in exposure.
How Wet?
Precipitation unlikely
Cloud on the hills?
Little if any
Occasional patches mainly higher North Pennines; clear elsewhere.
Chance of cloud free summits?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 700m)
-3 to -5C, coldest in the N Pennines. Wind chill feeling like -17C in exposure on high tops.
And in the valleys
Terrain widely frozen, starting locally below -5C from dawn, staying sub-zero in some valleys, max 0 or 1C.
Planning Outlook
Terrain extensively frozen this weekend and early next week; sub-zero temperatures from the glens upward in Scotland and some valleys inland in northern England. Substantial fresh snow accumulations in the North West Highlands and Cairngorms, heavy showers streaming in from the north also containing hail. Largely dry and sunny from central Scotland to northern England. Hail and snow showers will run into north and west Wales from the sea. Bitter northerly winds, up to gale force higher tops, lessening somewhat during Sunday. Some fluctuation of freezing level during next week, though most high terrain stays sub-zero, and as fronts come in from the west, upland snowfalls are possible more widely.