Fell Top Conditions on Friday 24 January
Readings from Helvellyn summit at 12:15
Temperature plus 2.0°C Maximum wind speed 17.5mph Wind chill minus 4.8°C Average wind speed 15.4mph Wind direction WSW
The thaw at all levels continues; albeit at a slower pace for the simple reason that there is little snow left to thaw! The vast majority of the Lakeland Fells are now clear of snow. The remaining patches are located above 900m in sheltered spots and on north and east facing aspects. Thus Lakeland paths are now clear of unavoidable snow with the possible only exception being at the very top of Striding Edge which, picking your route with care, only has about 2 easy angled steps of compacted snow to cross. Swirral Edge can be climbed either without setting foot on snow or, if you keep to the path, by taking about 3 steps on, again, compacted snow.
Despite the mild valley temperatures, the summit temperature was only plus 2 degrees and the windchill below freezing, so full winter clothing (waterproofs, warm layers, hat & gloves), footwear and equipment remain essential for anyone venturing out onto the fells.
Lake District weather forecast for Saturday 25 January
See today's weather conditions on live Lake District webcams
Issued: 25 January at 02:50
Mostly cloudy with extensive hill fog and outbreaks of light rain, sleet and summit snow. Strengthening winds.
Lake District Weather
Cloudy with extensive hill fog and outbreaks of light rain and drizzle, with sleet or snow on higher summits through the morning. Similar through the afternoon although precipitation above about 750m turning increasingly to snow and, with strengthening winds, some breaks in the cloud may develop over northern and eastern fells.
Visibility
Hazy falling to just a few kilometres in outbreaks of rain, drizzle, sleet and summit snow.
Cloud Free Hill Top
Nil through much of the day with periods or persistent cloud above about 450m and patches below, especially in the south and west, but northern and eastern fells improving to around 30% during the afternoon with cloud becoming occasional above 600m at times.
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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 |
 |
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| Chance of precipitation | 30% | 40% | 40% | 30% | 20% | 20% |
| At Valley | ||||||
| Temp | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Wind (mph) | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Max gusts (mph) | 24 | 22 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 |
| Wind direction | SW | SW | SW | SW | S | S |
| At 300m | ||||||
| Temp | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Wind (mph) | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 11 |
| Max gusts (mph) | 28 | 24 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 29 |
| Wind direction | SW | SW | SW | SW | S | S |
| At 600m | ||||||
| Temp | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Wind (mph) | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 28 |
| Max gusts (mph) | 34 | 32 | 35 | 36 | 34 | 37 |
| Wind direction | SW | SW | SW | SW | S | S |
| At 900m | ||||||
| Temp | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wind (mph) | 31 | 30 | 33 | 33 | 30 | 33 |
| Max gusts (mph) | 37 | 37 | 41 | 41 | 37 | 41 |
| Wind direction | SW | SW | SW | SW | S | S |
Daylight
Provided by time.isLake District Forecast for Sunday
Mostly cloudy overnight with further light rain, drizzle, with summit sleet and snow and extensive hill fog for a time before freezing levels rise. The rain becomes more persistent and heavier through the morning. The rain clears east during the afternoon with sunny spells developing as the cloud lifts and breaks. Clear spells during the evening but also an increasing risk of showers, these turning increasingly wintry above about 750m.
Visibility
Hazy falling to just a few kilometres in rain, drizzle, summit sleet and snow and evening showers, becoming very good in the afternoon.
Hill cloud
Nil through the morning across southern and western fells with periods or persistent above about 450m with patches below, but around 20% in the north with cloud occasional or periods above 600m. Chances improve close to 100% by early afternoon as cloud lifts above the summits and breaks. Chances fall again through the evening.
Wind
Southerly 30-40mph, with gusts around 55mph over ridges and summits, veering southwesterly 20-25mph, gusts around 40mph over ridges and summits, around or soon after midday.
Temperatures
- Valley: Plus 5 Celsius rising to plus 8 Celsius, falling to plus 4 Celsius during the evening
- At 800m: Around plus 2 Celsius
- Freezing level: 1000m rising above the summits through the morning then falling to 900m later
Outlook for next few days
Monday 27 January
Sunny spells and showers, falling increasingly as snow above about 450m. Strong to gale force southwesterly winds easing later. Freezing level falling to 700m.
Tuesday 28 January
Another day of sunshine and snow showers, perhaps merging to give some longer spells of sleet and snow at times. Westerly gales developing, risk of summit blizzards. Freezing level around 450m.
Wednesday 29 January
Snow showers expected to give way to more persistent rain and summit snow. Westerly or southwesterly gales, risk of summit blizzards. Freezing level rising to 1000m.
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!
Make the most of the summer on a guided walk or navigation course
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.