Fell Top Conditions on Monday 18 March
Readings from Helvellyn summit at 15:00
Temperature plus 2.7°C Maximum wind speed 28.4mph Wind chill minus 4.8°C Average wind speed 24.1mph Wind direction SW
Another mild day with a few showers but plenty of sunshine The Lakeland fells and are essentially snow-free, apart from a few small patches that remain on steep north and east-facing slopes above 900m. These are found predominantly on Helvellyn and neighbouring fells and are not in areas that present any hazards to walkers.
Despite today's mild temperatures, the wind chill was still well below freezing meaning it was a bit chilly to hang around and enjoy the views if you weren't correctly equipped. Full winter clothing (warm and waterproof) including hats and gloves, and equipment including a map, compass and headtorch are all essential.
Lake District weather forecast for Tuesday 19 March
See today's weather conditions on live Lake District webcams
Issued: 18 March at 20:12
Sunshine and showers. Strong to gale winds gradually easing. Freezing level above summits.
Lake District Weather
Cloudy overnight with occasional rain, turning heavy at times, clearing around dawn. A day of bright and sunny spells and showers. Showers frequent early morning but otherwise light and well scattered, particularly from noon with many staying dry for the afternoon. Cloud building through evening bringing a chance of rain reaching from the south towards midnight.
Visibility
Good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor within cloud with bases quite extensive early from 600m, lifting and breaking from mid-morning, and finally thickening and lowering during the evening
Chance of Cloud Free Hill Top
By day 20% becoming 70-80% from late morning, lowering for evening.
Tuesday's forecast:
Time | 00:00 - 03:00 | 03:00 - 06:00 | 06:00 - 09:00 | 09:00 - 12:00 | 12:00 - 15:00 | 15:00 - 18:00 |
Chance of precipitation | 90% | 70% | 60% | 20% | 20% | 10% |
At Valley | ||||||
Temp | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
Wind (mph) | 15 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
Max gusts (mph) | 38 | 36 | 26 | 20 | 18 | 13 |
Wind direction | S | S | SW | W | W | W |
At 300m | ||||||
Temp | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
Wind (mph) | 13 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 |
Max gusts (mph) | 37 | 36 | 27 | 22 | 19 | 13 |
Wind direction | S | S | SW | W | W | W |
At 600m | ||||||
Temp | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
Wind (mph) | 35 | 35 | 25 | 17 | 15 | 10 |
Max gusts (mph) | 48 | 48 | 34 | 25 | 21 | 15 |
Wind direction | S | SW | SW | W | W | W |
At 900m | ||||||
Temp | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Wind (mph) | 48 | 44 | 29 | 20 | 16 | 12 |
Max gusts (mph) | 60 | 55 | 38 | 27 | 23 | 17 |
Wind direction | S | S | SW | W | W | W |
Daylight
Provided by time.isLake District Forecast for Wednesday
Overcast, wet start to the day with some heavier outbreaks, also sleety at times across highest summits. Erratically turning drier from the west from late morning and through the afternoon with the chance of some later brighter spells appearing.
Visibility
Good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor within cloud with bases extensive early from 600m, slowly lifting and breaking from the west through the day.
Chance of cloud free hill
10% or less becoming 50% by late afternoon
Wind
Variable 15mph or less
Temperatures
- Valley: Plus 4 Celsius increasing 13 Celsius for the afternoon
- At 800m: Plus 2-3 Celsius
- Freezing level: Above all peaks
Outlook for next few days
Thursday 21 March
Dull, overcast with periods of rain heavy at times through into mid-afternoon, wintry across highest peaks, with extensive fill fog. Southwest summit winds increasing strong to gale by midday. Freezing level above all peaks.
Friday 22 March
Strong showery westerly flow. Outbreaks quite frequent, heavy at times and wintry across higher tops as the freezing level lowers to 800m.
Saturday 23 March
Showery west to northwest flow strong initially, easing a little later in the day. Outbreaks quite frequent, heavy at times and wintry across higher tops with freezing level around 800m.
An overview of weather in the Lake District
Summer:
The summer season in the Lake District actually runs from March to October. The driest period runs between March and June.
The weather is renowned for changing rapidly and rainfall is a predominant feature. The wettest area in the Lake District is known as Sprinkling Tarn which receives approximately 5000mm of rainfall every year!
Winter:
The wettest months run from October to January.
Snowfall typically falls from November to March. The valleys of the Lake District receive around 20 days of snow and 200 days of rain per year.