Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines
The entire Yorkshire Dales National Park and North Pennines AONB, including the Three Peaks and Cross Fell, also south to Forest of Bowland and Ilkley Moor.
Viewing Forecast For
Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines
Friday 4th December 2020
Last updated
Thursday 3rd December 2020 at
4:25 PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Areas of snowfall will pivot in from the east to affect many areas of Scotland and Northern England through the day. Accompanied by upland gales giving severe wind chill for periods, but a substantial lull is likely S Pennines. Across Wales, snow showers later give way to persistent snow.
Headline for Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines
Dry start, but snow and hill fog setting in. Periods of severe wind chill.
How windy? (On the summits)
Northerly then later easterly, perhaps a lull, but for periods risk up to 40-50mph higher Pennines.
Effect of the wind on you?
Prepare for difficult conditions and severe wind chill on higher terrain.
How Wet?
Snow setting in
Mostly dry dawn, but snow will push onto the Pennines from the east, and will set in and become heavy, falling to lower slopes. May become sleety in valleys. May ease off at times.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive in snow
Varied: Breaks occasionally toward higher slopes at first, but as snow develops, cloud will lower more widely and become extensive on the hills.
Chance of cloud free summits?
50% at first, lowering to 10% in snow.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Limited sun. Away from precipitation, the air very clear, but appalling conditions if snow sets in.
How Cold? (at 700m)
-2C, rising slowly toward 0C or just above. But feeling closer to -16C in direct exposure to strongest winds.
And in the valleys
Frost in most valleys from dawn. Likely only rising to max 2 or 3C during day.
Viewing Forecast For
Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines
Saturday 5th December 2020
Last updated
Thursday 3rd December 2020 at
4:25 PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Easterly, 15 to 25, perhaps 30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking impeded, risk sometimes arduous on high tops. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Largely dry
Occasional snow flurries may move onto the Pennines from the east.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly higher tops
Patches of cloud capping higher tops at times, may linger on higher N Pennines, particularly toward east. Possible low level banks of freezing fog from dawn, may linger if winds are light.
Chance of cloud free summits?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun, mostly west. Visibility very good in places, but locally reduced around cloud banks.
How Cold? (at 700m)
-1C
And in the valleys
Sub-zero in many valleys from dawn, only rising just above freezing all day.
Viewing Forecast For
Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines
Sunday 6th December 2020
Last updated
Thursday 3rd December 2020 at
4:25 PM
How windy? (On the summits)
Low confidence in detail: Likely to vary in direction, 5 to 15mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small.
How Wet?
Risk snow on and off, may be very little.
Clusters of showers may give snow on and off for a few hours, rain lowest slopes. Much uncertainty though, may amount to very little other than just flurries.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Cloud will likely cover the hills fairly extensively through the day. Patches at varying heights, but some local breaks possible.
Chance of cloud free summits?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy. Visibility fairly murky and poor or very poor in snow/rain.
How Cold? (at 700m)
Around 0 or -1C
And in the valleys
Some valley sub-zero at dawn, then slow rise though day to 2 to 4C.
Planning Outlook
Cold weather patterns are likely to prevail well into December. A period of constant freeze, at least on the Scottish Munros, but often near or below zero on many lower summits across Britain. Upland terrain becoming extensively snow covered as bands of precipitation circulate slowly around low pressure - substantial snowfalls likely across many uplands, and snow may well lie for periods to lower slopes. Wind speed and direction will vary considerably, occasionally gale force. An east or northeasterly common across northern Britain.