# Catbells Weather

> Today's weather on the summit of Catbells (451 m): hourly temperature adjusted for height, feels-like, wind and gusts, rain, the 7-day outlook, sunrise and sunset, and the best time of year to go.

Source: https://catbells.uk/weather/

![Catbells under dark cloud, reflected with a wooded island in a still Derwentwater](https://catbells.uk/assets/photos/catbells-derwentwater-reflection-1600.webp)

The forecast for the top of Catbells, not for Keswick. The summit is about 370 m above the lake, so it's a couple of degrees colder before the wind gets involved.

Photo: [Miura-photo](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Derwentwater_%26_Cat_Bells.jpg), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

## Today on Catbells

Loading today's summit forecast and sunrise…

Forecast for the summit area from the Met Office, adjusted for height. Summit winds are often stronger than forecast: also check [MWIS](https://www.mwis.org.uk).

## 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](https://catbells.uk/walks/catbells-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](https://catbells.uk/getting-there/).

## 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](https://catbells.uk/safety/).

For the wider picture, read the [Met Office mountain forecast for the Lake District](https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/specialist-forecasts/mountain/lake-district) and [MWIS](https://www.mwis.org.uk), the Mountain Weather Information Service. In winter the National Park's [Weatherline](https://www.lakedistrictweatherline.co.uk/) reports ground conditions on the fells.

**Kit for the fells.** Grip for the rock steps, a layer for the top and a torch for short days: [walking boots](https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=walking%20boots&tag=catbells-21), [waterproof jackets](https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=waterproof%20jacket%20hiking&tag=catbells-21), [head torches](https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=head%20torch&tag=catbells-21) and [microspikes](https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=microspikes&tag=catbells-21) on Amazon.Affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you. [More](https://catbells.uk/affiliate-disclosure/)