Weather Forecast

Produced by the Met Office

Forecast for daylight hours for Thursday and Friday

Issued: Wednesday, 10 March 2010

FELLTOP CONDITIONS REPORT from Helvellyn at 1415 on Wednesday 10th March 2010.A thaw is occurring at all levels, the air temperature was plus 4 degrees in the sun on the summit. Below 600m, there is only snow or ice on paths in sheltered spots and what remains is often avoidable. Above 600m the frequency of the snow patches and the snow depth increases with height to reach over 80cm in drifts although the average depth is far less than this. At altitude, the lower overnight temperatures have only consolidated the top layer of snow. Especially on eastern facing slopes, there remains a loose layer of snow sandwiched between old, hard ice and this top layer. Please take care on such steep slopes, such as the exits to both Striding and Swirral Edges, and be aware that there have been snow slides in the area and an avalanche in Borrowdale last week. Similarly, the cornices that have formed along the summit ridges are showing signs of weakening so please keep well back from the edge ignoring those footprints made by people walking on just ice over thin air! Full winter clothing, footwear and equipment are essential for anyone venturing out onto the fells. Crampons and ice axe are essential for anyone going above the snowline and attempting or traversing steep slopes and should be carried if only attempting moderate walks as many well-used footpaths are covered in compacted snow and ice. Several Lakeland tarns have frozen and are covered in snow but are unsafe to walk on.Summit statistics at 1415Temperature : plus 4.1 c Wind chill : plus 2.2 c Max wind speed 4.9 mph Average wind speed 3.6 mph

Overview for Thursday

A bright day with some long sunny spells although cloud is expected to increase during the afternoon.

Hazards

Gales: Low risk - Gusts around 45mph expected over ridges and summits.
Severe chill effect: Low risk - Strong winds and temperatures around freezing give a significant wind-chill

Forecast for Thursday

Weather:

A largely fine and dry day with some good sunny spells around, especially through the morning. However during the afternoon cloud is exposited to increase, although this should be generally above summit level.

Visibility:

Very good or excellent with good panoramic views of surrounding hills and fells.

Hill Fog:

Little or now cloud below summits level through the morning but cloud increasing above the summits during the afternoon, with the risk of occasional patches above about 750m later in the afternoon.

Maximum winds above 500m:

Northerly or northwesterly at 20mph increasing 30mph by midday, with gusts 45mph expected over ridges and summits.

Temperature:

Valleys/Low level: Minus 3 Celsius rising to plus 7 Celsius.
At 900m: Zero Celsius with a significant wind-chill.
Freezing level: 900m with frozen surfaces expected to low levels
at first.

Chance of precipitation:

Dawn - 0900: Sunny. 0%
0900 - 1200: Sunny. 0%
1200 - 1500: Sunny intervals. 0%
1500 - Dusk: Sunny intervals. 10% chance of rain

Forecast for Friday

Weather:

A rather cloudy start with outbreaks of mostly light rain and some summit snow but it will soon become drier and brighter with good sunny spells developing for the afternoon.

Visibility:

Moderate or poor in precipitation at first becoming very good or excellent.

Hill Fog:

Periods above about 600m, with patches 300m, at first gradually becoming patches above 900m by mid-afternoon.

Maximum winds above 500m:

Northwesterly, veering northerly by late morning, at 30mph, with gusts 45mph over ridges and summits.

Temperature:

Valleys/Low level: Plus 3 Celsius rising to plus 7 Celsius.
At 900m: Around Zero Celsius falling to minus 2 Celsius.
Freezing level: 900m falling to 750m.

Saturday

Rather cloudy with occasional showers across northern and northwestern hills, falling as snow above about 600m, but elsewhere some sunny spells expected with just the odd light wintry shower. Strong to gale force northwesterly winds. Freezing level 750m.

Sunday

Sunny spells and isolated wintry showers for many central, southern and eastern hills but the north and northwest look cloudier with more frequent wintry showers. Strong northwesterly winds. Freezing level around 900m

Monday

A rather cloudy day with outbreaks of rain, falling as snow above 750m, heaviest and most persistent across the western highlands. Strong westerly winds. Freezing level 900m.

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