Daily weather updates launched to support Lake District winter walkers
Fell Top Assessors provide essential advice to improve safety on the fells
Last updated 2nd Dec 2025
Daily weather updates provided by Fell Top Assessors in the Lake District are being called “vital” for safety this winter, after mountain rescue teams handled an estimated 900 callouts in 2025.
The updates, shared by mountaineering experts with boots on the ground, aim to help walkers understand the risks and conditions on the fells. Zac Poulton, Paddy Cave, and Jim Evans, employed by the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA), will summit Helvellyn every day from the start of December to the end of March to gather detailed weather information and offer winter walking advice.
Their findings are published on the Weatherline website and shared on the Twitter account @LakesWeather.
H2 Safety tips for winter walkers
Fell Top Assessor Zac Poulton explained the challenging weather variations between valleys and summits:
“The conditions on the summits can be very different to those in the valleys. If you’re going walking over winter, please consider:
Am I confident I have the knowledge and skills for the day?
Do I know what the weather will be like?
Do I have the right gear?
“If conditions don’t look right when you arrive, there’s no shame in turning back, as the fells will always be there another day,” Zac said.
H2 Preventing avoidable callouts
The initiative returns at a time when the Lake District Search and Rescue Mountain Association (LDSAMRA) has reported a 10 percent rise in yearly callouts, with around half of incidents classed as “avoidable.” Nick Owen, Joint Operations Lead for LDSAMRA, said the Fell Top Assessors play an important role in reducing these figures.
“It’s great to have the Fell Top Assessors’ providing these vital weather updates, educating people about the on-the-ground conditions. We all want our hills to be enjoyed by as many people as possible and safely, so they can return to enjoy them repeatedly,” Nick said.
The seasonal updates are further amplified by social media influencers sharing safety advice with their audiences.
As part of their work, the Fell Top Assessors also run winter skills courses to help walkers navigate icy conditions. These courses cover essential knowledge, including the use of crampons, ice axes, and building confidence for winter walking.