Fell Top Conditions on Friday 6 December
Readings from Helvellyn summit at 12:00
Temperature plus 0.8°C Maximum wind speed 11.7mph Wind chill minus 5.1°C Average wind speed 6mph Wind direction SW
Remnants of overnight snow remain above 930m. This, brought in on a north-westerly wind is clinging to boulders on the summit plateau despite positive temperatures.
A light wind this morning dried footpaths and the popular scrambles. Local gradient winds swirled around hollows and corries, lulling the onset of ferocious wind to follow later today.
Expect a marked difference as storm Darragh arrives with weather warnings for gale force winds, heavy rain, cloud and driving snow-showers overnight (Fri) and into tomorrow. Full winter kit will be needed for even mid-level walking with difficult mobility for all.
Lake District weather forecast for Saturday 7 December
See today's weather conditions on live Lake District webcams
Issued: 7 December at 02:19
Storm Darragh will bring very windy conditions with outbreaks of rain or snow.
Lake District Weather
Periods of heavy rain during the morning, turning to sleet or snow above 500m. A chance of thunder early in the morning. The rain or snow will ease through the afternoon, becoming light and patchy. Storm force northerly winds bringing serious and hazardous conditions to the fells.
Visibility
Poor visibility in rain or snow with extensive cloud above 500m. Visibility improving a little in the afternoon with cloud lifting up to higher summits.
Chance of Cloud Free Hill Top
10% in morning becoming 60% in afternoon.
Saturday's forecast:
| Time | 06:00 - 09:00 | 09:00 - 12:00 | 12:00 - 15:00 | 15:00 - 18:00 | 18:00 - 21:00 | 21:00 - 24:00 |
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| Chance of precipitation | 80% | 80% | 60% | 40% | 40% | 20% |
| At Valley | ||||||
| Temp | 9 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Wind (mph) | 3 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 22 |
| Max gusts (mph) | 15 | 53 | 55 | 54 | 52 | 56 |
| Wind direction | NW | N | N | N | N | N |
| At 300m | ||||||
| Temp | 7 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Wind (mph) | 2 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 22 |
| Max gusts (mph) | 15 | 50 | 58 | 58 | 55 | 59 |
| Wind direction | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| At 600m | ||||||
| Temp | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wind (mph) | 11 | 42 | 47 | 47 | 46 | 50 |
| Max gusts (mph) | 15 | 53 | 64 | 64 | 63 | 68 |
| Wind direction | N | NW | N | N | N | N |
| At 900m | ||||||
| Temp | 5 | -1 | -2 | -2 | -1 | -2 |
| Wind (mph) | 22 | 56 | 60 | 61 | 61 | 66 |
| Max gusts (mph) | 25 | 66 | 76 | 76 | 76 | 83 |
| Wind direction | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Daylight
Provided by time.isLake District Forecast for Sunday
Mainly dry with bright or clear intervals and just the odd shower, wintry above 300m at first then above 700m later. Severe northeasterly gales with severe wind chill and difficult walking conditions.
Visibility
Mainly good visibility. Briefly poor in wintry showers with patchy cloud cover above 600m, mostly in the northeast.
Chance of cloud free hill
60%
Wind
Northeast 35 to 45mph gusts 55mph.
Temperatures
- Valley: Plus 5C rising to 7C.
- At 800m: Minus 2C rising to Plus 1C.
- Freezing level: 400m rising to 900m.
Outlook for next few days
Monday 09 December
Dry with sunny spells. Feeling cold with s severe wind chill on the tops at first but strong northeasterly winds easing down. Freezing level 800 or 900m.
Tuesday 10 December
High pressure brings dry and bright weather. Some patchy fog and frost developing overnight.
Wednesday 11 December
High pressure brings dry and bright weather. Some patchy fog and frost developing overnight.
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.