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
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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.
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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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
Thursday 2nd July 2026
Last updated
Wed 1st Jul 26 at
4:04PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales early, severe over tops of north England and Scotland. Wind gradually eases, though staying blustery north. Showers, drizzle, and low cloud early, particularly west hills. England, Wales, and east Scotland largely dry afternoon, few cloud caps over high tops; cloud and drizzle linger in west Scotland.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Severe gales ease with time; early light showers largely ease
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly, 60-70mph for a few early hours, lessening to 40-50mph as noon approaches, further easing towards 30-40mph through afternoon into evening and trending westerly; staying strongest towards northeast hills.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe conditions from overnight and still difficult well into daytime, walking and balance challenging with significant wind chill. Slowly moderating but walking remains strenuous in exposure all day.
How Wet?
Scattered showers
Overnight rain likely clears to leave showery conditions after dawn, most frequent north and western areas through morning, some drizzle lingering on the Cairngorm plateau for a time. A drying trend, but a few showers drifting from the west here and there.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting toward or above tops
Covering high terrain fairly widely from dawn, bases towards 700m Strathspey, soon mostly confined above 1000m and gradually tending to thin and break higher, best and soonest in east & south. Later afternoon may just see passing banks over summits, though briefly lowering during a shower.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% rising to 70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun breaking through, most often eastern lower slopes, some areas see more extensive sun later. Visibility very good to excellent below cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 to 9C, mildest east where reaching 10C around Deeside. Directly in the stronger winds feeling like -5 to -10C on tops, this effect moderating with time.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 3rd July 2026
Last updated
Wed 1st Jul 26 at
4:04PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25 to 40mph, some variability, gusts to 50mph at least on high Cairngorms.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting comfortable walking, at times more strenuous on exposed terrain and balance may be challenging on ridges.
How Wet?
A little rain mostly west
Occasional drizzle mainly over hills near and west of the A9, some rain may develop at times, most likely late in the day. Very little if any toward Deeside.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly higher and southwestern areas
Most cloud confined above 800-1000m, most frequent on hills toward Drumochter, but some breaks. Capping tops for periods widely, but clearing at times east & north. Late afternoon/evening brings greater risk of more extensive cloud.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% southwest, to 60% northeast.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, more often sun through high cloud eastern areas. Visibility good below cloud, very good east.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C rising to 10 or 11C afternoon, mildest east. Feeling like 0 to -3C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 4th July 2026
Last updated
Wed 1st Jul 26 at
4:04PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly, 30 to 45mph, to 50mph tops early and strong gusts; lessening slightly afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking, particularly early, powerful gusts constantly challenging balance with considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Patchy rain, mostly west Munros
Some drizzle in the air for periods, particularly hills near and west of the A9, occasional steady light rain. Least rain east Cairngorms, though a brief spell of rain possible here too.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent south and west
Covering higher slopes near and west of the A9 much of the day above 700-900m. High Cairngorms probably stay shrouded, any breaks mainly north & easternmost areas, and some chance of better breaks late in the day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% west, to 40% north/east
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly cloudy west and southern hills, some sun breaking through north and east. Often good visibility below cloud, deteriorating in drizzle/rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
9C rising to 11C afternoon, or 12C far east Munros. Feeling like 0 to -3C over high terrain where directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Westerlies prevail across northern Britain. Rain, drizzle and low cloud most frequent over western hills from Lake District northward. Temperatures near average, but feeling cool in exposure to wind on tops, which could regularly be quite strong and gusty. An improving trend from the south into and over the weekend as higher pressure builds, best conditions for Wales and eastern hills elsewhere. A drier and warmer window looks probable from early-to-middle next week, very warm sunshine on some days England and Wales, southwesterlies still bring more cloud to western Scotland, some rain at times, wettest toward northwest. This pattern looks to continue into the following weekend with high pressure to the southwest maintaining drier conditions here with cloudier/damper conditions in the north and west.