The weather can change suddenly in the mountains. Forecasts are never 100% accurate and are often wrong, particularly with respect to the timing of weather events. We recommend checking the forecast whilst planning your trip and then again as late as possible before heading into the fells. With smartphones it is even possible to check the forecast whilst on the fells (if you have reception). I personally have the MWIS mobile forecast at www.mwis.org.uk/mobile/ld.php bookmarked on my phone (this only works on mobile devices).
Mountain Weather Information Service
The Mountain Weather Information Service produces a very detailed three day forecast available here.
Met Office Mountain Forecast
The Met Office forecast includes a detailed daily fell-top conditions report from Helvelyn during winter months. This can be very useful when planning appropriate days out in winter.
These Weather Widgets are provided by the Met Office
6 comments
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Alan
Wed 14th Mar 2012 at 20:05 (UTC 1) Link to this comment
I am writing regarding the “weather” page of your website:
http://www.wmrt.org.uk/advice/weather/
There is currently a link on it to the National Park Weatherline, and that website quotes an 0844 telephone number.
The same weather forecast is also available direct from the Met Office, at
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/
and that page says “These Mountain area forecasts can also be obtained by calling the Customer Centre”. Clicking on that “Customer Centre” link, you are told the phone number 01392 885680 (as well as an 0870 alternative).
For many mobile customers, an 0844 number will be much more expensive to call than a geographical one such as supplied by the Met Office. For example, on the tariff that I am on, it is 40p/minute as compared to 12p/minute:
http://www1.orange.co.uk/service_plans/payasyougo/payg_racoon_costs.html
and the price could be a disincentive to people obtaining a mountain weather forecast. Obviously it is in your interests to let people know how they can obtain a forecast at reasonable expense, so that they actually check the forecast, rather than choose not to and increase their chances of needing to be rescued.
So I would like to suggest that you change the weather forecast link on your website to point to the above Met Office page rather than to the Weatherline one.
Regards,
Alan
Jon Lynch
Thu 15th Mar 2012 at 09:13 (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thank you Alan,
I have updated the link above,
Jon
barry
Wed 3rd Apr 2013 at 23:02 (UTC 1) Link to this comment
i will be climbing scafell a week on saturday will i need crampons and an ice axe
Jon Lynch
Thu 4th Apr 2013 at 15:27 (UTC 1) Link to this comment
I would be taking and expecting to use mine!
Jon
Matt
Tue 9th Apr 2013 at 12:17 (UTC 1) Link to this comment
I will be climbing Scarfell on the last weekend in April. I know its early but do you expect the conditions to require crampons and axes?
Jon Lynch
Tue 9th Apr 2013 at 12:49 (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Who knows, if it remains cold it could stay wintery for even longer than that. A week of warm rain could strip nearly all of the current snow cover.