Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Wednesday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 1 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 1 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 17th September 2025
Last updated
Tue 16th Sep 25 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Strong upland wind, gale force at times. Persistently damp morning across all west-coastal regions, fading to various extents into the afternoon. Extensive cloud in most areas. Very wet underfoot in England and Wales with streams in spate after heavy overnight rain.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Upland wind increasing; low cloud patchy rain
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 25 to 30mph becoming southwesterly 35 to 45mph by midday.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous, blustery conditions developing which will affect ease of walking and balance. Significant wind chill by the afternoon.
How Wet?
Rain on and off, mostly south
Northern areas: Few hours dry in the morning, then patchy rain develops. Southern areas: Rain on and off throughout the day, more persistent and locally heavier for a few hours in the morning.
Cloud on the hills?
Locally extensive, mostly southern hills
Cloud extensive on high ground, especially during rain. Breaks most likely near the northern corries of Cairngorm, especially late afternoon onwards.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun through high cloud. Visibility very good if dry, reduced to poor if areas of rain develop.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C. Feeling sub-zero in the wind, -5C or below as speeds increase.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 18th September 2025
Last updated
Tue 16th Sep 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Forecast details still uncertain. Southwesterly 45 to 60mph. Very gusty.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult walking conditions will make progress challenging. Very powerful gusts may easily blow you over. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Likely dry
Probably substantially dry but risk of rain encroaching remains throughout the day.
Cloud on the hills?
Probably clearing
Patchy cloud on high ground will likely lift and clear into the afternoon. Should rain arrive, cloud will become widespread and lower to the mid-slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine through high cloud. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8C. Feeling around -5C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Well above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 19th September 2025
Last updated
Tue 16th Sep 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Forecast details uncertain. West to southwesterly 30-45mph. Chance of a lull to 20-25mph in afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Feeling blustery with balance affected at times, especially morning. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Little or no rain
Occasional spots of rain may fall, carried across by the wind from the west coast; these are unlikely to reach Deeside.
Cloud on the hills?
Widespread
Cloud shrouding most higher ground, with cloud base lowest near Drumochter. Breaks may form over the northern corries of Cairngorm.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine through high cloud in northern regions. Little or no sun elsewhere. Good visibility if out of cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C. Feeling below -5C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Extensive rain and gales into midweek, likely wettest on west-coastal regions. Areas of rain and showers frequently in the forecast later in the week. Temperatures near-average, but feeling cool when exposed to wind. A chillier northwesterly may emerge by next weekend, briefly dropping near freezing on the highest Scottish tops. Indications then favour higher pressure at least briefly expanding northwards early next week for some drier days, but unlikely to settle down for long.