The Lake District’s Fell Top Assessors have urged people to ‘make good decisions’ as temperatures drop in the county.
The assessors, who climb the 950m Helvellyn every day between December and March, issued their report after their ascent yesterday, Saturday January 4.
They said: “Conditions are forecast to be extreme with heavy snow down to valley level, gale force easterly winds creating blizzard conditions and a summit windchill of -25oC.
“Road conditions will potentially be very hazardous. Please make good decisions and heed the warnings of mountain rescue and the police about staying off the fells and staying safe.”
Their report yesterday said: “Temperature minus 2.7°C Maximum wind speed 15.2mph Wind chill minus 11.4°C Average wind speed 12.8mph Wind direction SW
“A thin layer of overnight snow on light winds had settled down to 400m adding to the winter conditions on the Lake District Fells.
“Many paths are becoming icy from standing water freezing but also where the snow has been compressed beneath walkers feet and microspikes were extremely useful at all levels
“On steeper & more exposed terrain, including Striding and Swirrel Edges on Helvellyn, crampons and an ice axe were essential.”
