The new Met Office site for the Peak District mountain forecast
Walkers in the Peak District now have weather information to help keep them safer, with the introduction of a Met Office site detailing the area’s forecasts and hazards.
The Peak has been added to the areas currently covered by mountain weather forecasts by Britain’s official meteorological service. Other areas are the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District, Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons.
The new service has colour-coded hazard symbols, combined with the latest synoptic chart and rain and snow forecasts. Wind strength and temperatures at valley levels and 900m are also included, though if you can find any ground in the Peak District that high above sea level, your navigation is a bit out – the highest point, Kinder Scout, is a mere 636m (2,088ft) high.
That said, the information is a useful addition to the Met Office’s existing coverage. The independent Mountain Weather Information Service has for some time provided forecasts for hillwalkers, though its Peak District reports are only updated from Thursday to Saturday.
Pat Boyle, public weather service manager at the Met Office, said: “Mountains can be inhospitable and dangerous places if you are not prepared.
“The weather can vary a great deal and change very quickly, posing a significant risk to walker’s safety. 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.”
The Peak District National Park Authority has also put a link on its website under the weather button.
Geoff Nickolds, lead member for recreation at the PDNPA, said: “We’re very keen for walkers and climbers to enjoy the wildest and most beautiful parts of our national park, but also that they should do so as safely as possible.
“These newly available and improved weather forecasts are a major step forward in ensuring that they can.”
Stuart Willis
03 April 2009Great news but why isn't there a forecast for the Yorkshire Dales? Our mountains are higher than the Peak District's and we also have areas of wild, exposed moorland. Although I am biased by living in the Dales, I wouldn't mind betting that there are just as many walkers in the Dales as in the Peak, if not a few more! A forecast for the Dales would be just as valuable as the Peak one is. Is there anything we could do - a petition or campaign of getting folk to request one of some sort? - to get the Met Office to add the Dales?
Bob Smith
03 April 2009We spoke to Met Office spokesman John Hammond who told us: “The areas that are covered by the mountain forecasts are where there are more weather-related incidents.
“There are more incidents in places like the Peak District.”
Mr Hammond did point out that there is a general forecast for the areas covered by both the Yorkshire Dales national park and the North York Moors park. This is not as detailed as the mountain forecasts but does give a brief, single-sentence report as part of the wider Yorkshire and Humber regional forecast.
You can see this on the Met Office website. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/yh/yh_forecast_weather.html