Lake District
A poor day on the tops in the Lake District, with snow on the tops and burns likely to be in spate.
Sunshine and sky
Sunshine varies by period. Sunshine amounts vary between the morning, midday and later periods.
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.
High-ground wind (800 m)
At around 800 m, expect a southerly wind of 20–30 mph, gusting 30–40 mph, strongest first thing and easing later. Gusts like that are strong enough to make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges.
Walking impact
Gusts of 30–40 mph are strong enough to make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges.
Spate risk
High spate risk based on forecast rainfall. Burns and unbridged crossings may become difficult or impassable. Timing and severity can vary between catchments. Check the peak forecast for the separate rain/runoff periods. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.
Rain and showers
Snow for much of the day. Expect 2–5 mm in total, measured as melted water, so any snow would lie deeper. Rain is forecast in parts of the area during the morning, but its extent and local amounts are uncertain. Rain is possible during the afternoon, but forecast models disagree on whether it will fall. Some forecast models bring rain during the afternoon, while others keep it mostly dry. On some hills, snow is possible on the tops. Snow is forecast on some higher tops during the morning and afternoon. The air freezing level is roughly 500 to 800 m above sea level. Snow can fall below this, but its lower limit is uncertain. On some higher summits there is a risk of blizzard conditions in the morning, when snow and strong winds coincide. Paths and footprints can quickly disappear beneath falling and blowing snow. Snow may collect in deeper drifts in hollows, behind boulders and on slopes sheltered from the wind. Exposed ground may be scoured while nearby drifts deepen. Wind-loaded slopes can also be avalanche terrain. Check the local avalanche forecast where one is available; this is not an assessment of slope stability.
Cloud-free summits
Clear-summit estimate: about 10% early, about 10% around midday and about 10% later.
Cloud and visibility
Expect many summits to be in cloud for most of the day. The cloud base could be as low as 100–400 m mid-morning. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass. Mist or fog is possible in some valleys early on. Where snow covers the ground, the sky and hillside can merge into a featureless white view, making it difficult to judge slope or direction. Do not rely on following a visible path. Avoid exposed routes if you cannot navigate safely in these conditions, and turn back before visibility deteriorates.
Temperature and wind chill
At around 800 m it will be -4 to 0°C, feeling like -12 to -8°C in the wind. Hat, gloves and a warm insulated layer are essential, with extra warmth for stops. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.
Freezing level
The freezing level is around 500–800 m, so it will be below freezing on the tops.
Daylight
Sunrise 07:45, Sunset 16:08, about 8.4 hours daylight.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaAcross these hills, a poor night to camp on open ground: around 10 mm of rain and a frost, down to -2°C. 39Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full regional overnight outlook
Across these hills, a poor night to camp on open ground. Light winds on open ground, gusting no more than about 20 mph. About 10 mm of rain is forecast overnight. At every height we checked (300-900 m) you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. A frost up around 900 m, down to about -2°C.
Moon overnight
Waxing gibbous moon
- Illuminated disc
- 55%
- Moonrise
- Outside this window
- Moonset
- 23:35 GMT
Cloud and terrain vary across the area. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 17 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 18 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)
- Wind / gust
- 7 mph / 14 mph
- Coldest
- 2.3°C
- In cloud
- 100% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 9 mph / 19 mph
- Coldest
- 0.4°C
- In cloud
- 100% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 10 mph / 22 mph
- Coldest
- -2.5°C
- In cloud
- 100% 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 & scramblingBetaSnow is likely to be lying on some high ground, with further snowfall possible. Wet rock is likely. Gusts near 35 mph may affect balance on exposed rock. 0Poor · Very poor View detailsHide details
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. Gusts may reach about 35 mph on exposed ground, making crosswinds an important route consideration. 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.
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.
Does the weather shape your plans?Optional hill-user research. One answer helps; further questions are up to you.Take part
Help the Mountain Decisions Project understand how forecasts influence hill days, including when plans stay the same. Findings will be shared publicly as summaries, not individual responses.
This is about Lake District on Tuesday 17 November 2026. It asks about intentions, not whether you actually went out. No name or account is needed.
Open the questions to take part.
About the research and your privacy · Already been out? Share that experience instead
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.