Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Tuesday's Forecast
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 8th September 2026
Last updated
Mon 7th Sep 26 at
4:18PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Frequent rain and severe gales over Scottish Highlands, easing from west later; feeling cold. Strong wind with showers and sun breaks in south Scotland and England, showers increasingly frequent from north, extended falls forming. Showers scattered in Wales, least rain south with lighter wind.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Severe gales; rain increasingly frequent, persistent afternoon
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 50-65mph, gusting 70mph+ over high Cairngorms. Direction may vary with lowering speed, but this uncertain and will rapidly restrengthen and orient northwesterly.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions most of the day: you will struggle to stay on your feet in exposure. A small chance of a lull in the wind, but only briefly with a swift return to difficult conditions. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Pulses of rain, setting in afternoon
Showers drift from the north and west all day, with pulses of persistent rain coming and going; western areas will see most persistent falls, then more widely persistent through afternoon, and only beginning to break up into evening.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive over high terrain
Blanket cloud from middle slopes up near and west of the A9 to start, a few higher breaks to the east at times. Bases lift slightly, variably lowering around rain, and more extensive again through afternoon, to lower northern slopes. Will start to break up south of high Cairngorms evening into night.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare bright glimpses, trending overcast afternoon. Mostly poor visibility in cloud and rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C, locally rising a degree east. Feeling like -5 to -10C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Just above the highest summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 9th September 2026
Last updated
Mon 7th Sep 26 at
4:18PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 30-40mph, soon easing and shifting westerly, 15-20mph afternoon, or briefly lower towards evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking in exposure to start, considerable wind chill; effects gradually easing to small later.
How Wet?
Showers fading
Scattered showers stream into the Cairngorms from the north from dawn, gradually scattering and clearing away to the east, likely dry from midday onward.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting to high terrain, increasingly breaking
From dawn, fairly extensive across north Cairngorms, to mid-slopes; bases will lift, breaking up soonest on southern slopes, increasingly to the tops. Best chance of clear summits through afternoon but some banks may continue to roll over the Cairngorm plateau.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Starting cloudy north Cairngorm plateau, sun breaking out, mostly sunny later with very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C rising to 8C, or locally a degree milder southern Cairngorms. Feeling like -5C in direct wind early, wind chill effect easing.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 10th September 2026
Last updated
Mon 7th Sep 26 at
4:18PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25-30mph, strengthening afternoon, sustained 45mph over Cairngorm plateau with strong gusts.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking increasingly strenuous in exposure, strong gusts making stability challenging; notable wind chill.
How Wet?
Patchy rain gradually increases
A largely dry start, drizzly patches of rain drift from the southwest, tending to increase in time; northern Cairngorms driest longest. From later afternoon, heavier bursts forming, and setting in evening into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over high terrain, later more extensive
May be fairly extensive over high terrain to start, bases as low as 700-800m towards Drumochter, tending to lift, may break towards Cairngorm tops for a time, but variably returning too; north slopes always clearest. Later, will become more extensive.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of weak sun, later more overcast. Varied visibility, windows where very good, notably north Cairngorms.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C rising to 9C, or 10C northern Cairngorms; staying lifted into night. Feeling around freezing in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Generally unsettled through the week with spells of rain and showers moving in from the Atlantic, accompanied by strong to gale force mountain winds. Temperatures will vary, mildest toward the south, but cooler air moves in from the north at times bringing higher Scottish tops occasionally close to freezing point, feeling cold in the wind chill. A few high pressure ridges bring settled windows, notably afternoons of Wednesday and Friday; northwestern areas, particularly in Scotland, will tend to hold onto some hill cloud despite high pressure. Weather remains varied from the weekend into next week, Scotland most often unsettled, best windows of improvement to the south. A more settled period is indicated in the later month with warm temperatures.