Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Today's Forecast
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, 10 to 15C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, 10 to 15C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 11th July 2026
Last updated
Fri 10th Jul 26 at
4:17PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Fairly cloudy Scottish highlands, drizzly tops east where a risk of thundery showers; drier west, local bright breaks. A rising risk of heavy/thundery showers forming over Southern Uplands. Very warm and sunny in England, but high cloud and a risk of showers far north later. Extensive hot sunshine for Wales.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Foggy on high terrain with risk thundery showers
How windy? (On the Munros)
Generally easterly but variable 10-15mph, sometimes less. Local sudden strong gusts in varied directions accompany heavy/thundery showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, but sudden strong gusts near shower will inconvenience walking.
How Wet?
Drizzle, patchy rain, risk thundery showers
A fine drizzle on the high tops much of the day. Occasional patches of rain affecting most hills, a risk of pop-up heavy showers forming (possibly thundery), mostly over the Cairngorms and passing eastward.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Extensive cloud to the middle slopes at dawn, to lower slopes and locally glen level to the south and east. Bases tending to rise, breaks to 700-800m forming to the west, any higher breaks brief. Where showers occur, patches return to lower slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast, sometimes dull and poor visibility on high terrain. Where below cloud, visibility will be very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
10C rising to 11 or 12C, mildest towards Drumochter. Where showers occur, temperature briefly drops a few degrees.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 12th July 2026
Last updated
Fri 10th Jul 26 at
4:17PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Generally southeasterly but variable, 10mph and often less.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible.
How Wet?
Spotty drizzle
A lingering drizzle on the summits in the morning, this fading. Some chance of a few spots of drizzly rain returning, but these very localised, most Munros staying dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, breaking tendency
Extensive to the middle slopes at dawn at least, lower slopes eastern areas and local fog in glens. A lifting and breaking trend through morning, most cloud above 1000m by afternoon; north and east slopes clearest, but high Cairngorm plateau may not clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%, rising to 70% Monadhliath
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast, misty on high terrain to start. Glimpses of sun breaking out, best breaks west later with very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
10 or 11C, may rise a degree western hills.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 13th July 2026
Last updated
Fri 10th Jul 26 at
4:17PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Generally easterly but variable, 10mph and regularly less.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible.
How Wet?
No rain expected
Cloud on the hills?
High tops above broken mid-level banks
Cloud may be fairly extensive below 900m at dawn. Soon after sunrise, cloud begins lifting with breaks increasingly forming, many hills becoming clear afternoon. Banks may cling to eastern slopes, but unlikely rising above 1100m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Above 90% (Cairngorm plateau above cloud)
Sunshine and air clarity?
A patchwork of cloud and sunshine. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
9C rising to 13C; may rise another degree or two around Strathspey.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Staying very warm late weekend into next week. High pressure north of the country keeps the skies mostly clear and facilitates an an easterly flow, pushing the warmest temperatures to western hill groups. Northeastern areas will see early sea fog under the high pressure, this dissipating in the sun through morning. Scottish highlands seeing temperatures often rise into the mid-teens, valley temperatures to the 20s west; warmest Wales where hill temperatures often to 20C or higher. A fairly sustained breeze most of the week in England and Wales, at times stronger and quite gusty. Low pressure south of the country may push cloud and showers into Wales, though confidence remains low, and could remain largely dry. Detail uncertain later next week, but a milder northerly flow may begin to establish.