Fell Top Conditions on Wednesday 22 January
Readings from Fairfield summit (873m) at 10:45
Temperature plus 7.2°C Maximum wind speed 1.6mph Wind chill plus 7.2°C Average wind speed 0.7mph Wind direction S
After breaking through valley mist at 450m it was a pleasant surprise to see the Lakes had had a wintery shower overnight. A fresh cover of snow is now above 750m and at only a centimetre deep, is fairly light. More snow showers are expected over the coming days on increasing wind strength. For Wednesday though, the wind was very light and hill fog covered lower and mid level fells, moving in and out in bands across higher fells, with some sunshine breaking through.
It would be prudent to have micro spikes handy on steep and scrambily ground as the old snow patches have again firmed up and unexpected ice may be encountered. Full winter clothing and kit is also advisable with the capacity to be able to navigate in poor visibility.
Lake District weather forecast for Thursday 23 January
See today's weather conditions on live Lake District webcams
Issued: 23 January at 02:29
Showers early, then period of rain and summit snow from late morning, as winds strengthen to bring severe wind chill.
Lake District Weather
Mainly cloudy overnight and early morning with some scattered light showers. Band of rain and snow reaching from the west late morning, only clearing eastwards around early evening, with scattered showers soon following from the west. Snow level 500-700m at first lowering 200-300m late evening.
Visibility
Good falling moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases becoming extensive from 450m from late morning
Chance of Cloud Free Hill Top
40% lowering less than 10% from late morning
Thursday'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 | 40% | 50% | 90% | 80% | 40% | 20% |
| At Valley | ||||||
| Temp | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Wind (mph) | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 11 |
| Max gusts (mph) | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 29 | 25 |
| Wind direction | S | S | S | W | W | SW |
| At 300m | ||||||
| Temp | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Wind (mph) | 7 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 |
| Max gusts (mph) | 21 | 26 | 33 | 36 | 31 | 24 |
| Wind direction | S | S | S | W | W | SW |
| At 600m | ||||||
| Temp | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wind (mph) | 24 | 27 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 23 |
| Max gusts (mph) | 32 | 35 | 44 | 43 | 40 | 31 |
| Wind direction | S | S | S | W | W | SW |
| At 900m | ||||||
| Temp | 0 | 0 | -1 | -1 | -2 | -2 |
| Wind (mph) | 27 | 33 | 40 | 38 | 34 | 27 |
| Max gusts (mph) | 32 | 39 | 50 | 48 | 43 | 34 |
| Wind direction | S | S | S | W | W | SW |
Daylight
Provided by time.isLake District Forecast for Friday
Hazardous through the morning in storm force winds coupled with occasional rain and summit snow. Clearing to showers for the afternoon, as the winds slowly ease. Snow level 700m at first lowering 500m in later showers.
Visibility
Good falling moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases quite extensive from 500m before lifting and breaking through the afternoon
Chance of cloud free hill
10% becoming 60% by late afternoon
Wind
Southerly 40-50mph with gusts reaching 70mph, veering west to southwest mean 50-60mph with gusts 80mph plus by mid-morning. Winds gradually easing from early afternoon.
Temperatures
- Valley: Zero Celsius increasing 10 Celsius for the afternoon
- At 800m: Plus 2 Celsius at dawn lowering minus 2 Celsius late afternoon
- Freezing level: Above summits lowering 600m by late afternoon
Outlook for next few days
Saturday 25 January
Dry with prolonged periods of sunshine at first, then a few showers later in the day. Fresh southwest summit breezes. Freezing level around 500m.
Sunday 26 January
Mainly dry and occasionally bright early, then a band of rain and summit snow reaching the area later, as southeast winds strengthen to gale force. Freezing level 400m increasing 700m later.
Monday 27 January
Cloudy and showery with strong to gale south to southwest summit winds and a 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.