Fell Top Conditions on Thursday 4 March

Readings from Helvellyn summit at 11:00

Temperature minus 1.6°C Maximum wind speed 20.5mph Wind chill minus 9.7°C Average wind speed 15.9mph Wind direction ENE

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 to where they live.

Summit temperatures are once again below freezing with rime ice forming down to 800m and Red Tarn was almost fully frozen.

The vast majority of the Lake District fells are now clear of snow but the rime ice and a few areas of verglas on the summits mean that conditions underfoot remain tricky and microspikes were very useful today.

With careful route choice Striding and Swirral Edges can now both be climbed without setting foot on snow although there is still rime and verglas to contend with. However it's essential for anyone who does venture onto the few remaining patches of snow to be fully kitted out with an ice axe and crampons as it has now refrozen and the surface is bullet hard and icy. This hazard is generally to be found above 850m in sheltered spots and hollows and on predominantly steep north and east facing aspects.

Despite the spring like conditions in the valleys and the lack of snow, winter is still very much in evidence on the fells and walkers should go equipped with plenty of warm and waterproof layers, hats & gloves, a reliable method of navigating, food & fluid and some emergency kit including a survival bag, whistle and headtorch.

Please be conservative with your plans and know both your limits and also when to turn back.

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.