Catbells Weather

Why It Matters More Here Than the Height Suggests

• The rock steps. Catbells has two short scrambles on the north ridge. Dry, they're fun. Wet, the rock is polished and slippery, and that's when most of the fell's accidents happen. If the "Rain" column above is high, think about the route from Grange, which avoids them.
• Wind on the ridge. The ridge is narrow enough to feel the wind from either side, and the summit is bare rock with no shelter. Gusts of 40 mph are tiring; above about 50 mph, walking is hard and can be dangerous.
• Height. Air cools by roughly 0.65 °C for every 100 m, so the top is about 2.5 °C colder than the lakeshore before wind chill. We adjust the Met Office temperatures to the summit's height.
• The boat. The Keswick Launch doesn't sail in rough weather. A windy forecast can change how you get there as well as how the top feels: check today's boats.

Best Time to Go

• April to June: long days, settled spells, and the launch and the 77 bus both running.
• July and August: the busiest weeks. Go before 9am or after 4pm for a quieter ridge; the last boat back is later then too.
• September and October: bracken turns the fell rust-red and the light is at its best. The 77 bus stops at the start of November.
• November to March: short days, and the launch runs only on some days (not at all in December and January). In snow or ice the rock steps are a winter scramble. See safety.

For the wider picture, read the Met Office mountain forecast for the Lake District and MWIS, the Mountain Weather Information Service. In winter the National Park's Weatherline reports ground conditions on the fells.