Fell Top Conditions on Friday 21 March
Readings from Helvellyn summit at 09:08
Temperature plus 6.9°C Maximum wind speed 21.5mph Wind chill plus 1.2°C Average wind speed 8.4mph Wind direction S
Whilst the weather today was again perfect on the fells there was a hint of change in the air, the wind was up a bit and some high cloud cover was building. Tomorrow it looks like there could be low cloud and some heavy showers, after all the amazing dry weather we have been having it'll be important to make sure all the essential kit is still in the bag, navigation equipment and waterproofs/layers. Crampons and ice axes are not currently required and the likes of the classic Helvellyn ridges are snow free. Only fragments of old snow remain on the NE facing corrie rims now and it is all avoidable.
Even on an early round this morning it was brilliant to see so many early starters out enjoying the tail end of the amazing run of recent weather!
Lake District weather forecast for Saturday 22 March
See today's weather conditions on live Lake District webcams
Issued: 22 March at 02:19
Showers or longer periods of rain, easing for the afternoon as sunny spells may develop. Fresh southeast summit winds. Freezing level above summits.
Lake District Weather
Cloudy to overcast with showers that occasionally merge to longer and heavier periods of rain through to late morning and again from early evening, with some risk of thunderstorms. However a drier, brighter interlude is expected between late morning and late afternoon.
Visibility
Good or very good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor within cloud with bases extensive from 600m at first and later in the day, but lifting and breaking for a time between late morning and late afternoon.
Chance of Cloud Free Hill Top
By day 20% becoming 70% for a time in the 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 | 50% | 50% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 70% |
| At Valley | ||||||
| Temp | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 |
| Wind (mph) | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Max gusts (mph) | 23 | 15 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 10 |
| Wind direction | SE | SE | S | S | N | N |
| At 300m | ||||||
| Temp | 9 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 9 |
| Wind (mph) | 8 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Max gusts (mph) | 26 | 17 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Wind direction | S | S | SE | S | N | N |
| At 600m | ||||||
| Temp | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 7 |
| Wind (mph) | 28 | 17 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Max gusts (mph) | 36 | 22 | 20 | 14 | 8 | 11 |
| Wind direction | S | S | SE | SE | NE | NE |
| At 900m | ||||||
| Temp | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| Wind (mph) | 31 | 22 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Max gusts (mph) | 37 | 26 | 20 | 13 | 9 | 11 |
| Wind direction | SE | S | SE | SE | NE | NE |
Daylight
Provided by time.isLake District Forecast for Sunday
A cloudy to overcast start with occasional rain or drizzle, then gradually turning drier and possibly brighter for the afternoon. Summit winds increasing fresh or strong from the northeast from noon.
Visibility
Good or very good becoming moderate or poor in rain or drizzle, very poor within cloud with bases extensive from 600m at first, before lifting and breaking during the afternoon.
Chance of cloud free hill
10% becoming 40-50% during the afternoon
Wind
Northeast increasing mean 20-25mph from noon with gusts reaching 40mph across most exposed ridges and summits.
Temperatures
- Valley: Plus 7 Celsius rising 14 Celsius for the afternoon
- At 800m: Plus 5 Celsius rising 8 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level: Above summits
Outlook for next few days
Monday 24 March
Dry with bright and sunny spells during the day. Light winds. Freezing level above summits.
Tuesday 25 March
Cloudy with patchy light rain at first, becoming dry with bright and sunny spells for the afternoon. Fresh to strong northwest summit winds. Freezing level above summits.
Wednesday 26 March
Dry bright start. Increasing risk of rain and strengthening winds later in day.
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.