Fell Top Conditions on Monday 5 April

Readings from Helvellyn summit at 12:30

Temperature minus 5.9°C Maximum wind speed 39.2mph Wind chill minus 18.8°C Average wind speed 24.1mph Wind direction N

We have continued to provide the Fell Top Reports for people undertaking their daily exercise during the lockdown. We would like to remind everyone that Government guidance from 29th March is to minimise travel and to stay local.

A dramatic change in conditions on the Lake District fells with the arrival of a polar airmass giving a bitterly cold northerly wind and freezing temperatures. Windchill on the summit of Helvellyn today, despite the sunshine, was nearly -19 degrees C.

There was a scattering of new snow above 800m although this was thawing fast where exposed to the sun.

Wintery conditions are forecast to last until at least next weekend so walkers need to be fully prepared with plenty of warm & waterproof layers, hat & gloves, a reliable & suitable method of navigation, plenty of food & drink and an emergency kit including a mobile phone, survival bag and torch. If more snow does settle on the summits then carrying microspikes or crampons and an ice axe may be appropriate.

All Lakeland paths are currently clear of unavoidable snow with the overwhelming majority of the fells now totally clear. The few remaining patches of any significance lie mainly above 900m on predominantly steep N and E facing aspects. The exit slopes to both Striding & Swirral Edges are now easily climbed without setting foot on snow.

Following the freeze thaw action of the winter there is a lot of loose rock around especially on Swirral Edge. There has also been a landslip on the north side of Swirral which has taken part of the path with it

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

This is the final Fell Top Assessor report of the 2020-21 season. Please respect, protect and enjoy the Lake District this summer and we'll be back for the first snows of next winter :)

Jon, Wes & Zac

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.