May stays on North Pennines
Elseghyll Barn
Alston · Sleeps 4
Indicative catalogue price £327 for 7 nightsExact May prices and availability are checked after you choose a week.What is North Pennines mountain weather like in May?
Typical mountain and low-level wind, temperature and rainfall for May, based on 40 years of weather history.
40-year mountain climate
Typical high-ground conditions in May.
Historically, May has been a variable month with a useful share of better high-ground days. Of 1,240 representative high-ground days, 28% were excellent or good, 60% were average, and 12% were poor or severe.
Dry days accounted for 53% of the sample, while extensive cloud affected 46%. These figures describe representative high ground around 893 metres, so coastal and low-level conditions can be milder.
Excellent or good28%Historically dry53%High-ground temperature5.7°CTypical maximum gust26 mphStronger days around 34 mph
Plan beyond the forecast
Choose an area and week.
Saturday dates are highlighted because they usually unlock the widest choice of seven-night cottage stays. Other arrival days still work.
Typical conditions, not a forecastThis describes representative high ground. A difficult hill day can still be suitable for a lower-level plan.
Week 19 · 8 May
What this week is typically like on North Pennines high ground.
Across 280 comparable historical hill days, 29% were excellent or good and 12% were poor or severe.
Check the live North Pennines forecast →Historically excellent or good29%280 comparable days
Excellent8%Good21%Average59%Poor12%Severe0%
Historically dry48% of daysTypical daily max gust27 mphStronger days around 35 mphTypical high ground5.0°C24-hour mean near 893 mExtensive cloud45% of days
May context: 28% of days across the month were excellent or good; 12% were poor or severe. Read the full May guide.
Valley and low level for this week
Around Alston.
Representative base · 285 mTypical daily high12.1°CWarmer days 15.8°CHistorically dry48%46% dry with lighter windMaximum wind12 mphStronger days 16 mphTypical overnight low5.5°CCooler nights 2.5°C
Planning a different time of year?Compare North Pennines month by month
Valleys and trip bases
Low-level weather around Alston in May.
Alston, at roughly 285 metres, provides a practical low-level reference for North Pennines. Across 1,240 historical days, the typical daytime high was 12.8°C, with warmer days around 15.9°C.
About 53% of days were dry and 52% combined dry weather with lighter winds. Conditions vary across glens, coasts and villages, so this should be used as regional trip-planning guidance rather than a forecast for every location.
Typical daily high12.8°CWarmer days around 15.9°CTypical overnight low6.2°CCooler nights around 3.6°CHistorically dry53%4% had 10 mm+ rainTypical maximum wind12 mphStronger days around 15 mph
January to December
North Pennines weather by month.
Each month has a detailed guide comparing high-ground hill days with typical conditions at a representative valley or low-level trip base.
January17% good
High ground: 54% average · 29% poor or severeAlston: 50% dry · 5.0°C daily high
February18% good
High ground: 53% average · 29% poor or severeAlston: 51% dry · 5.7°C daily high
March20% good
High ground: 59% average · 21% poor or severeAlston: 55% dry · 7.5°C daily high
April25% good
High ground: 63% average · 12% poor or severeAlston: 55% dry · 9.8°C daily high
May28% good
High ground: 60% average · 12% poor or severeAlston: 53% dry · 12.8°C daily high
June24% good
High ground: 65% average · 11% poor or severeAlston: 54% dry · 15.2°C daily high
July26% good
High ground: 63% average · 11% poor or severeAlston: 49% dry · 16.9°C daily high
August23% good
High ground: 65% average · 12% poor or severeAlston: 51% dry · 16.5°C daily high
September21% good
High ground: 64% average · 15% poor or severeAlston: 57% dry · 14.6°C daily high
October16% good
High ground: 66% average · 18% poor or severeAlston: 52% dry · 11.4°C daily high
November17% good
High ground: 62% average · 21% poor or severeAlston: 52% dry · 7.8°C daily high
December17% good
High ground: 55% average · 28% poor or severeAlston: 51% dry · 5.7°C daily high
Strongest historical signals
Best weeks of the year for North Pennines mountain weather.
These are the six week bands with the largest historical share of excellent or good days. They are useful for broad trip timing, but the live forecast should decide the final plan.
- 01Week around 29 May31% excellent or good · 12% poor or severePlan this week →
- 02Week around 17 July30% excellent or good · 11% poor or severePlan this week →
- 03Week around 8 May29% excellent or good · 12% poor or severePlan this week →
- 04Week around 17 April28% excellent or good · 10% poor or severePlan this week →
- 05Week around 15 May28% excellent or good · 11% poor or severePlan this week →
- 06Week around 22 May28% excellent or good · 14% poor or severePlan this week →
20 mountain areas
Compare another part of the UK.
Each page includes weekly and monthly high-ground and low-level climate summaries, a highlighted Saturday planner and nearby accommodation.
Angus GlensScotland · strongest historical month: May23% good Argyll and Loch LomondScotland · strongest historical month: May28% good Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)Wales · strongest historical month: June31% good CairngormsScotland · strongest historical month: May22% good Clwydian Range and BerwynsWales · strongest historical month: April28% good DartmoorEngland · strongest historical month: July37% good Eryri (Snowdonia)Wales · strongest historical month: May31% good Lake DistrictEngland · strongest historical month: May35% good Lewis and HarrisScotland · strongest historical month: May29% good LochaberScotland · strongest historical month: May25% good Mid Wales and Cambrian MountainsWales · strongest historical month: May32% good Monadhliath and Creag MeagaidhScotland · strongest historical month: May22% good North PenninesEngland · strongest historical month: May28% good Northumberland and CheviotsEngland · strongest historical month: May32% good Northwest HighlandsScotland · strongest historical month: May27% good Peak DistrictEngland · strongest historical month: July30% good Perthshire HighlandsScotland · strongest historical month: May25% good SkyeScotland · strongest historical month: May38% good Southern ScotlandScotland · strongest historical month: May34% good Yorkshire DalesEngland · strongest historical month: May32% good