Fell Top Conditions on Monday 24 February

Readings from Blencathra summit at 09:10

Temperature plus 2.6°C Maximum wind speed 32.8mph Wind chill minus 5.3°C Average wind speed 12.2mph Wind direction SW

Todays readings were taken on Blencathra summit.

Today it was a more settled day on the fells, the rain faded away and the cloud lifted, the winds also dropped to a more moderate level. On Blencathra there are on tiny isolated fragments of snow left in hollows and gully heads mainly on the north facing aspects, so all routes are currently passable without crampons, micro-spikes or axes. This however looks like it may change from tonight onwards during the week with freezing summit temperatures returning and some snow on the forecast by mid-week.

So currently normal winter hill clothing and safety equipment is required, but be ready for the colder temperatures coming where goggles and axes/crampons may be needed. Initially micro-spikes may be sufficient but this could change depending on how much snow comes through. On some more central fells, and the Helvellyn range, where large areas of old snow still remain, it will be worth noting that a re-freeze will transform this back to hard snow-ice quickly and care will be needed if crossing or actively seeking steep snow.