Fell Top Conditions on Friday 1 December

Readings from Helvellyn summit at 10:02

Temperature plus 0.5°C Maximum wind speed 4.3mph Wind chill plus 0.5°C Average wind speed 1.8mph Wind direction E

Welcome back to our first fell top conditions report of the 2023/24 and what an amazing day to start the forthcoming winter season!

A beautiful blue sky day in Lakeland fells with plenty of low winter sunshine and very light winds.

A temperature inversion meant that colder air was present in the valley bottoms today and it became warmer with height (-7ºC in Swirls carpark compared to a summit temperature just above freezing point).

The Lakeland fells have a very light and cosmetic dusting of snow which has accumulated to roughly ankle depth in small drifts above 850m, however, the majority of the white stuff is rime ice rather than snow.

With subzero temperatures down to low elevations there is ice present on and adjacent to many paths, particularly around any drainage lines.

With low pressure sitting over the Irish sea, there may be some additional snow over the weekend with the potential for significantly reduced visibility in any snow showers. The very cold and dry ground conditions mean that paths may become covered in snow quickly and difficult to follow.

Anyone heading out into the higher fells should expect challenging conditions and be suitably equipped.

Warm and waterproof clothing (plus spare warm layers), hats and gloves, a map, compass, and headtorch are all essential.

Goggles may also be very useful for navigation in challenging conditions. Microspikes are very useful in the current conditions, and with any additional snow accumulations, crampons and an ice axe may be required on any steep and exposed routes.