Fell Top Conditions on Tuesday 2 March

Readings from Helvellyn summit at 11:59

Temperature plus 6.2°C Maximum wind speed 7.9mph Wind chill plus 2.9°C Average wind speed 6.0mph Wind direction S

We are continuing to provide the Fell Top Reports for people undertaking their daily local exercise during the lockdown. We would like to remind everyone that Government guidance stipulates that people should only exercise locally, not leaving the village, town or city where they live.

Ground conditions confirmed what the clever people at the Met Office had forecast, namely that there was an overnight temperature inversion. This meant that in the morning there were patches of frost and some ice on paths lower down but, unlike Monday, none on higher elevations. Even in sheltered spots, this valley frost soon thawed. However, walkers out on Wednesday should expect, and be prepared to encounter, a return to patches of ice in sheltered spots at altitude. The overnight temperature inversion meant that there was a continuing slow thaw of the remaining snow which lies in patches above 850m in sheltered spots and hollows and on predominantly steep north and east facing aspects. The snowpack was notably softer than on Monday apart from places where it has been compacted. Since it is likely to refreeze overnight, walkers out on Wednesday are strongly advised to avoid any snow patches. That stated, the vast majority of the Cumbrian fells and paths are now free from snow.

As for the past few days, the only unavoidable, and icy, snow encountered today was at the exit to Swirral Edge. Although it is only a very short section, an ice axe is strongly recommended, especially in descent, as it was hard snow and the footprints in it were similarly icy. Conversely with careful route choice, Striding Edge and its exit can now be climbed without setting foot on snow with the normal path up its exit now also almost free from snow.

Monday and Tuesday were definitely the exception with a summit windchill above zero. Walkers out on Wednesday should expect, and be prepared for, a return to a more normal sub zero summit windchill so full winter clothing (waterproofs, extra warm layers, hat & gloves), mountain boots and equipment are all essential for anyone going out onto the fells. Please be conservative with your plans and know both your limits and also when to turn back. A pandemic is not the time to be pushing your comfort zone.

Guidance is not to travel into this area from other areas and to exercise locally.

• Keep within your limits, walking in winter conditions takes longer than in summer.
• Be flexible, you may need to turn back, or choose a lower level walk.
• The weather on the felltops will be far colder and windier than at the bottom. Take extra layers, warm drinks, a torch, and a map and compass - and know how to use them.
• It gets dark around 5pm, when you need to be down from the felltops.