Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Saturday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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
Saturday 26th September 2026
Last updated
Fri 25th Sep 26 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Strong southwesterly winds, gale-force on Scottish mountains, strengthening in the west. Showery rain and cloud banks in western Scotland, patchy rain extending inland. A little rain in the wind at times and some cloud on western hills of England and Wales, more often dry and less wind further south.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Increasingly windy, gales on tops; some showery rain, patchy cloud.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 30 to 40mph, varying speeds - moderating a little in morning to middle of day, then sustained speeds rising again afternoon, toward 50mph high Cairngorms, gusts 60mph later in day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous-to-arduous walking conditions, buffeting gusts knocking you off balance on exposed terrain, generally worsening later in day; considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
A little rain mostly southwest
Occasional light showers mainly areas toward Ben Alder. Brief light showers possible elsewhere, but more often dry, especially toward Deeside. Toward evening, a cluster of showers spreads more widely from the west.
Cloud on the hills?
Local patches, mostly little
Patchy cloud will come and go above 900-1000m around Drumochter, but often above 1000-1100m many areas and clearing above all tops for periods. Lowering from west again into evening.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun, most often north and eastern areas; cloudier later. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C rising to 9 or 10C, mildest north Cairngorms, little change into night. Feeling like -3 to -6C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 27th September 2026
Last updated
Fri 25th Sep 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 40-50mph, powerful gusts over high Cairngorms, 60mph. Only later lessening, shifting southwesterly.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions most of the day, notable effort to maintain balance in exposure; significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Increasingly rainy afternoon, heavy falls
A little light rain around Drumochter, but most hills dry in morning. Rain becomes more frequent, heavy falls forming, and may set in for several hours with sustained heavy falls, particularly south Cairngorms.
Cloud on the hills?
Variable, increasing afternoon; clearest north slopes
Cloud banks drift over the high Cairngorms, a few breaks but may also lower towards 900-1000m on south slope at times. Through afternoon, blanket cloud lowering to shroud high terrain for a time, bases as low as 700m south during heaviest rain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%, lowering to 20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sun, more often north Cairngorms, increasingly cloudy afternoon. Very good visibility, deteriorating though afternoon on high terrain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C, rising slightly, locally 9C north Cairngorms, lowering towards 6C late. Feeling like 0 to -3C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 28th September 2026
Last updated
Fri 25th Sep 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 20 to 30mph, strongest gusts around higher Cairngorms, tending to lessen in afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery, starting to affect comfortable walking on some exposed high tops and ridges; feeling rather cool.
How Wet?
Rare if any showers
Chance of an odd brief shower, mainly hills near Drumochter.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly little
Patchy cloud briefly around some hill slopes in the morning, plus local mist in some glens around dawn. All dispersing to leave the mountains generally clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine and patchy fair-weather cloud. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4C rising 7 or 8C. Feeling like -2 to -5C in the wind on higher areas in the morning.
Freezing Level
Above the summits. Local pockets of slight frost at dawn in sheltered glens and some corries.
Planning Outlook
A changeable prospect during the week ahead. Sunday sees extensive rain moving in from the west with heavy bursts, accompanied by powerful southerly winds. Improving for many places into Monday as higher pressure expands in from the south, but showers and brisk winds continue toward northwest Scotland. Strong southeasterly winds by Tuesday, widely gales on mountains with turbulent downslope gusts toward the west; a risk of rain developing from the south during the day, becoming heavy later. Blustery south-southwesterlies into Wednesday and Thursday, showery in the west. Higher pressure tends to expand further north again into early October. Mostly mild temperatures.