Met Office Adds Dales Forecast

The Met Office has added the Yorkshire Dales to its selection of mountain-area weather forecasts for the first time.


The Dales joins  the Brecon Beacons, Peak District, Snowdonia, Lake District, and West and East Highlands as one of the areas where the Met Office provides clear information specifically aimed at walkers and other outdoor goesrs to - it says - 'keep them safer, while making the most of the spectacular countryside'.

The forecasts now include a colour-coded hazard forecast to highlight risks on the mountains along with details of precipitaton risk and the latest synoptic chart plus a worded description of what to expect across the are and the outlook for the next few days. They are to be updated twice a day.

Mark Allum, Access Projects Officer at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “The Yorkshire Dales is a fantastic area for outdoor activities. Whether you are a hill walker, caver or mountain biker, an accurate forecast is a critical piece of information. The weather in the Dales is often very different to what is happening in Leeds or York, so this specific mountain weather forecast is very welcome.”

Pat Boyle, Public Weather Service Manager at the Met Office, said: “The weather in the Dales can change with little or no warning, and an unprepared walker can quickly find themselves at risk. Whether it’s a well-planned expedition or a spur-of-the-moment decision to go to the hills, it is important to check the forecast first.”

The Met Office forecast is one that we include in our regular round-up of weekend mountain weather forecasts on a Friday morning and an excellent resource, particularly used in conjunction with other sites to get a clear overall picture.

You can find the Met Office Mountain Area page at www.metoffice.com/loutdoor/mountainsafety/