Fell Top Conditions on Thursday 20 March
Readings from Great Dodd summit - 856m at 10:07
Temperature plus 8.9°C Maximum wind speed 10.9mph Wind chill plus 4.1°C Average wind speed 6.3mph Wind direction SE
Todays report was from the summit of Great Dodd, the highest of the northerly peaks in the Helvellyn range. It was yet another amazing day of weather on the fells, a frosty start gave way to full sun and blue skies. There were very low winds today and so a less significant wind-chill than recent days but still cool in the shade. Not much in the way of change to report due to the continued high pressure weather that is over the region, its very dry and there are only fragments of snow remaining and all are avoidable. There have been some reports of wild fires due to how dry it is so extra care should be taken particularly if using camping stoves when wild camping.
Whilst crampons and axes are not necessary it is worth remembering that it is only March and a return to colder less settled conditions is certainly possible and so additional winter clothing and safety equipment is advisable in the bag!
Its currently perfect conditions for enjoying all the fells have to offer, but make the most of it as there looks like a change on the forecast around the weekend!
Lake District weather forecast for Friday 21 March
See today's weather conditions on live Lake District webcams
Issued: 21 March at 02:44
Dry with hazy sunshine. Strong southeasterly winds
Lake District Weather
Dry with long clear spells overnight. Then a bright day with some good spells of increasingly hazy sunshine, the cloud above the summits gradually thickening. The odd spot of rain early evening becoming more persistent and heavier later.
Visibility
Little or no cloud expected below the summits, otherwise visibility good or very good.
Chance of Cloud Free Hill Top
Close to 100%.
Friday'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 | 00% | <05% | 10% | 10% | 20% | 30% |
| At Valley | ||||||
| Temp | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 11 |
| Wind (mph) | 10 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 9 |
| Max gusts (mph) | 35 | 33 | 34 | 31 | 30 | 26 |
| Wind direction | E | SE | SE | E | E | E |
| At 300m | ||||||
| Temp | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 9 |
| Wind (mph) | 14 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 11 |
| Max gusts (mph) | 41 | 39 | 39 | 36 | 36 | 33 |
| Wind direction | SE | SE | SE | SE | SE | SE |
| At 600m | ||||||
| Temp | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 7 |
| Wind (mph) | 38 | 36 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 26 |
| Max gusts (mph) | 49 | 47 | 39 | 41 | 39 | 38 |
| Wind direction | SE | SE | SE | SE | SE | SE |
| At 900m | ||||||
| Temp | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| Wind (mph) | 43 | 48 | 38 | 39 | 36 | 36 |
| Max gusts (mph) | 50 | 55 | 47 | 48 | 45 | 44 |
| Wind direction | SE | SE | SE | SE | E | SE |
Daylight
Provided by time.isLake District Forecast for Saturday
Cloudy with outbreaks of occasionally heavy rain, the best of any brighter spells across the north through the morning and early afternoon.
Visibility
Little cloud below the summits at first becoming periods or persistent above 450-600m, but more occasional above 750m at times in the north through the morning and early afternoon, the cloud lowering to 300m at times, especially for coastal ranges. Away from cloud visibility good or very good but falling to several kilometres in rain.
Chance of cloud free hill
Close to 100% at dawn but becoming close to zero for many through the morning, but 25% for northern fells
Wind
Southeasterly 20-25mph, gusts around 40mph over ridges and summits at first gradually backing and decreasing easterly or northeasterly 10-15mph
Temperatures
- Valley: Around plus 8 Celsius at dawn rising to plus 14 or 15 Celsius by day
- At 800m: Plus 7 or 8 Celsius
- Freezing level: Well above the summits
Outlook for next few days
Sunday 23 March
Cloudy start with outbreaks of rain but becoming brighter with just a few showers for the afternoon. Freshening northeasterly winds. Freezing level above the summits.
Monday 24 March
Sunny spells and just a few light showers. Fresh northeasterly winds backing northerly and easing. Freezing level above the summits.
Tuesday 25 March
Remaining largely dry and bright with sunny spells and just the risk of the odd light shower. Mainly light northwesterly winds. Freezing level above the summits.
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.