Lake District mountain weather forecast.

Sun 15 Nov on the hillsA mixed day in the Lake District, with sleet or snow on the tops. See wind, cloud base and timings

Choose your hills and day.

Each regional brief uses a high-ground level that suits the terrain, from 500 m on Dartmoor and in the Peak District to 900 m in the highest ranges.

Mountain Weather brief

Lake District

Sunday 15 November 2026 · The Lakeland fells

Confidence: Medium Why?

Uncertainty over rain amounts and timing. Uncertainty over sky cloud cover and sunshine.

What matters most

A mixed day in the Lake District, with sleet or snow on the tops.

High-ground wind · 800 m10-20 mph northwesterly Gusts · 800 m15-25 mph Cloud base1200-1500 m Feels like · 800 m-6 to -2°C

Regional median

Sunshine and sky

Extensive cloud. Cloud is likely to remain extensive for much of the day.

Modelled sunshine0 h0% of daylight

Early0 h sunshine

Midday0 h sunshine

Later0 h sunshine

These are direct modelled sunshine hours during daylight, not the probability of sunshine. Cloud cover and summit cloud are assessed separately in the forecast above. The regional median prevents one unusually bright or dull summit cell defining the whole area.

Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.

Morning · 08:00–12:00MixedSummit winds around 0-10 mph. Gusts around 5-15 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud is more persistent early in this period, with better prospects later. Rain is forecast on some hills during this period.

Afternoon · 12:00–17:00MixedMore rain is expected. Summit winds around 0-20 mph. Gusts around 15-25 mph are possible on exposed ground. Summit cloud becomes more persistent later. Rain is forecast on some hills during this period. Rain is forecast during the afternoon, but models differ considerably on the amount.

Conservative regional grades across representative summits, so one sheltered hill does not overstate the wider area.

High-ground wind (800 m)

At around 800 m, expect a north-westerly wind of 10–20 mph, gusting 15–25 mph, picking up through the day.

Walking impact

Noticeable on exposed ground, but unlikely to impede most walking.

Rain and showers

Sleet is possible on the tops, and it could turn to snow if it is a little colder. Drizzle sets in during the early afternoon and becomes heavier through the afternoon. Expect 2–5 mm in total, measured as melted water, so any snow would lie deeper. Rain is forecast during the afternoon, but models differ considerably on the amount. On some hills, sleet is possible on the tops. Small temperature changes could shift the mix towards rain or snow. Sleet or snow is possible on some higher tops in the afternoon, with small temperature changes affecting the mix. The air freezing level is roughly 1100 to 1200 m above sea level. Snow can fall below this, but its lower limit is uncertain.

Cloud-free summits

Clear-summit estimate: about 25% early, about 85% around midday and about 10% later.

Cloud and visibility

Any early cloud on the tops should clear soon after dawn. The cloud base could be as low as 300–600 m mid-morning. Some forecast models are much cloudier overhead. That may limit sunshine without putting the summits in cloud.

Temperature and wind chill

At around 800 m it will be 0 to 4°C, feeling like -6 to -2°C in the wind. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.

Freezing level

The freezing level is above the summits.

Daylight

Sunrise 07:41, Sunset 16:12, about 8.5 hours daylight.

Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaAcross these hills, a poor night to camp on open ground: gusts of about 35 mph and a frost, down to -4°C. 39Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details

Regional night beginning Sunday 15 November 2026

Full regional overnight outlook

Across these hills, a poor night to camp on open ground. Gusts reach about 35 mph around 900 m and nearer 25 mph around 300 m, which makes for a noisy, testing night even in a good tent. Look for shelter from the north. Some light rain is forecast overnight. Above about 600 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. The air is damp at every height we checked (300-900 m), so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. A frost at every height we checked (300-900 m), down to about -4°C.

Overnight rain1.3 mmOpen ground · 600 m16 mph · gusts 32 mphMorning pack-upDampness possible

Moon overnight

Waxing crescent moon

Illuminated disc: 36%
Moonrise: Outside this window
Moonset: 21:00 GMT

Cloud and terrain vary across the area. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.

Overnight window: 15 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 16 Nov, 08:00 GMT. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.

Representative location: 54.454, -3.212. Times vary across the area.

Elevation reference (open ground)

300 m39 · poor

Wind / gust: 13 mph / 26 mph
Coldest: -1.1°C
In cloud: 0% of modelled night
Condensation: High

600 m39 · poor

Wind / gust: 16 mph / 32 mph
Coldest: -2.1°C
In cloud: 73% of modelled night
Condensation: High

900 m38 · poor

Wind / gust: 19 mph / 37 mph
Coldest: -4.2°C
In cloud: 80% of modelled night
Condensation: High

Open-hillside guidance across representative hills. Local shelter, ridges, tent design and the exact pitch can change conditions substantially. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.

Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaSub-zero temperatures and moisture may leave icy patches on exposed rock. Wet rock is likely. 0Poor · Very poor View detailsHide details

Regional rock conditions · sampled mountain terrain

Regional climbing & scrambling outlook

A broad guide to dampness and exposed rock across the area, not a forecast for every crag. Lower, sheltered crags and individual rock types may behave differently.

Conditions for exposed scrambling across the area look very poor (0/100). Rain is likely to leave rock wet. Polished slabs, vegetation and drainage lines may be notably worse. Mapped summit-point geology across the representative hills includes volcanic rock, sandstone or gritstone and slate or mudstone. Rock can therefore respond differently to moisture between crags and routes.

Rock surfaceWet rock likelyExposed gust28 mphRain3.8 mm

Mapped rock across sampled summits4 broad familiesSummit samples, not a survey of every crag

volcanic rock 50% 4 representative summitsOften grippy when dry, but volcanic rocks vary widely; wet lichen, smooth holds and local seepage can still make them slippery.sandstone or gritstone 25% 2 representative summitsUsually rough and grippy when dry. Damp sandstone and gritstone can feel greasy, and saturated sandstone may be weakened, so let the rock dry fully.slate or mudstone 12% 1 representative summitOften positive when dry, but smooth, polished or slabby sections can become markedly more slippery when damp.unclassified rock 12% 1 representative summitGrip and drying behaviour are not well resolved here; treat damp rock conservatively and check the surface directly.

Representative summit-point samples across the region; individual crags and routes may differ.

Generic exposed hands-on-rock terrain across representative summits; mapped summit-point geology is a broad regional sample, not a named-route survey. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.

Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit

For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.

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Weather data: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Mountain Weather.

Updated 14 November 2026 at 16:37 UTC. See typical weekly and monthly conditions for Lake District.

Winter conditions outlook

Snow on the hills from Tuesday

Lake District. All winter outlooks

TodayLittle or no lying snow expected on the hills.

Little or no snow lying yet. A few centimetres of new snow today. More snow to come: a few centimetres tomorrow.

Read the full outlook Snow on the hills, Fresh snow, Spindrift, Frozen turf, Snow to come

Snow on the hills

Expect little or no lying snow. Old patches may survive in sheltered gullies.

Fresh snow

A few centimetres of new snow is forecast today.

Spindrift

Spindrift is likely from late morning into the afternoon: loose snow lifted by the wind and blown towards the north. Heading southwards, into it, will be hard work, and visibility can drop sharply in gusts. Goggles make a big difference, keeping the snow out of your eyes so you can still see where you are going. Expect it to stream over crag tops and down north-facing gullies.

Frozen turf

Turf is not expected to be frozen, so frozen-turf scrambles and winter routes will not be in condition.

Snow to come

Tomorrow: a few centimetres of snow expected on the tops, drifting onto north-facing slopes.

TomorrowLittle or no lying snow expected on the hills.

Little or no snow lying yet. A few centimetres of new snow tomorrow.

Read the full outlook Snow on the hills, Fresh snow, Frozen turf

Snow on the hills

Expect little or no lying snow. Old patches may survive in sheltered gullies.

Fresh snow

A few centimetres of new snow is forecast tomorrow.

Frozen turf

Turf is not expected to be frozen, so frozen-turf scrambles and winter routes will not be in condition.

Mon 16 NovLittle or no lying snow expected on the hills.

Little or no snow lying yet. More snow to come: 10 to 20 cm on Tuesday.

Read the full outlook Snow on the hills, Frozen turf, Snow to come

Snow on the hills

Expect little or no lying snow. Old patches may survive in sheltered gullies.

Frozen turf

Turf is not expected to be frozen, so frozen-turf scrambles and winter routes will not be in condition.

Snow to come

On Tuesday: 10 to 20 cm of snow expected on the tops, drifting onto north-west through north to north-east-facing slopes.

Tue 17 NovWind-drifted snow expected on north-west through north to north-east-facing slopes.

Snow lying above about 600 m. 5 to 10 cm of new snow on Tuesday. Loose, soft snow underfoot.

Read the full outlook Snow on the hills, Fresh snow, Where the wind will put the snow, Spindrift, Cornices, Underfoot, Frozen turf

Snow on the hills

Expect snow lying above about 600 m.

Fresh snow

5 to 10 cm of new snow is forecast on Tuesday. It will be deeper where the wind piles it into drifts.

Where the wind will put the snow

Expect strong southerly winds, around 38 mph on the tops, to blow the snow about. It will pile into drifts on north-west through north to north-east-facing ground, especially below ridges, crags and corrie rims, and in gullies and hollows. Slopes facing into the wind will be scoured, with thinner snow and more rock and ice showing.

Spindrift

Spindrift is likely in the morning: loose snow lifted by the wind and blown towards the north. Heading southwards, into it, will be hard work, and visibility can drop sharply in gusts. Goggles make a big difference, keeping the snow out of your eyes so you can still see where you are going. Expect it to stream over crag tops and down north-west through north to north-east-facing gullies.

Cornices

Cornices are likely to grow above north-west through north to north-east-facing slopes because there will be plenty of new snow to move; a 38 mph wind is strong enough to carry loose snow; and that wind will blow across the ridges from the south. A cornice is an overhanging lip of snow built out over the drop by the wind. It can break well back from the edge, so keep well away from it, especially in poor visibility, and do not linger below one, particularly as it warms.

Underfoot

Expect new, loose snow on top, with hard going in deeper drifts. Conditions will change through the day: thawing from 12:00 onward after a frozen night.

Frozen turf

Turf is not expected to be frozen, so frozen-turf scrambles and winter routes will not be in condition.

Avalanches

Wind-drifted snow on steep slopes is the most common cause of avalanches in British hills, and it can stay unstable for a day or two after the wind drops. See the note below for where to find an avalanche forecast.

Wed 18 NovA thin, patchy covering of snow expected on the tops.

5 to 10 cm of new snow over the three days to Wednesday. Fresh southerly winds will drift the snow onto north-west and north-facing slopes.

Read the full outlook Snow on the hills, Fresh snow, Where the wind will put the snow, Spindrift, Cornices, Frozen turf

Snow on the hills

Expect a thin, patchy covering on the tops, with small drifts in sheltered spots. Snow over grass and rock is slippery, and frozen patches can be icy.

Fresh snow

5 to 10 cm of new snow is forecast over the three days to Wednesday. It will be deeper where the wind piles it into drifts. Rain or a thaw will make the snow wet and heavy, especially in the afternoon. A hard frost afterwards would freeze the surface solid again.

Where the wind will put the snow

Expect fresh southerly winds, around 17 mph on the tops, to blow the snow about. It will pile into drifts on north-west and north-facing ground, especially below ridges, crags and corrie rims, and in gullies and hollows. Slopes facing into the wind will be scoured, with thinner snow and more rock and ice showing.

Spindrift

Spindrift is likely on and off through the day: loose snow lifted by the wind and blown towards the north. Heading southwards, into it, will be hard work, and visibility can drop sharply in gusts. Goggles make a big difference, keeping the snow out of your eyes so you can still see where you are going. Expect it to stream over crag tops and down north-west and north-facing gullies.

Cornices

Small cornices may start to form above north-west through north to north-east-facing edges where the wind piles up loose snow. Even a small one can give way, so keep back from the edge.

Frozen turf

Turf is not expected to be frozen, so frozen-turf scrambles and winter routes will not be in condition.

Avalanches

Rain or a sharp thaw on lying snow makes wet snow slides more likely on steep slopes. See the note below for where to find an avalanche forecast.

Thu 19 NovA thin, patchy covering of snow expected on the tops.

5 to 10 cm of new snow over the three days to Thursday.

Read the full outlook Snow on the hills, Fresh snow, Cornices, Frozen turf

Snow on the hills

Expect a thin, patchy covering on the tops, with small drifts in sheltered spots. Snow over grass and rock is slippery, and frozen patches can be icy.

Fresh snow

5 to 10 cm of new snow is forecast over the three days to Thursday. Rain or a thaw will make the snow wet and heavy, especially in the afternoon. A hard frost afterwards would freeze the surface solid again.

Cornices

Small cornices may start to form above north-west and north-facing edges where the wind piles up loose snow. Even a small one can give way, so keep back from the edge.

Frozen turf

Turf is not expected to be frozen, so frozen-turf scrambles and winter routes will not be in condition.

Avalanches

Rain or a sharp thaw on lying snow makes wet snow slides more likely on steep slopes. See the note below for where to find an avalanche forecast.

Written from a computer model of the weather and snow, not from reports on the hill. Conditions on the ground can differ, so look and judge for yourself.

Winter conditions outlook: Mountain Conditions by Spatial Terrain Ltd, used with permission. Issued 14 November 2026 at 14:00 UTC.

More context for your hill day

Check the approach as well as the tops

Compare midge conditions by day and height, or look for a possible cloud inversion. For Snowdon and Tryfan, camera-derived cloud-base observations add a view of conditions already seen on the slopes.

Lake District midge forecast Cloud inversion forecast Snowdon and Tryfan cloud observations

Forecasts built around recognisable hill country.

Twenty distinct regions replace inherited service boundaries. Each uses a representative height suited to its terrain; named summits retain their exact height and exposure.

Lake District mountain weather forecast.

Lake District

High-ground wind (800 m)

Walking impact

Rain and showers

Cloud-free summits

Cloud and visibility

Temperature and wind chill

Freezing level

Daylight

Full regional overnight outlook

Moon overnight

Elevation reference (open ground)

Regional climbing & scrambling outlook

Snow on the hills from Tuesday

Snow on the hills

Fresh snow

Spindrift

Frozen turf

Snow to come

Snow on the hills

Fresh snow

Frozen turf

Snow on the hills

Frozen turf

Snow to come

Snow on the hills

Fresh snow

Where the wind will put the snow

Spindrift

Cornices

Underfoot

Frozen turf

Avalanches

Snow on the hills

Fresh snow

Where the wind will put the snow

Spindrift

Cornices

Frozen turf

Avalanches

Snow on the hills

Fresh snow

Cornices

Frozen turf

Avalanches

Check the approach as well as the tops

Forecasts built around recognisable hill country.

Scotland

Wales

England