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Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath Forecast

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
Dry, Inversion
Very warm
Strong warm sunshine

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Click here to download the latest PDF Last Updated Tue 14th Jul 26 at 4:28PM Last Updated Tue 14th Jul 26 at 4:28PM
View our low-graphics version Last Updated Tue 14th Jul 26 at 4:28PM Last Updated Tue 14th Jul 26 at 4:28PM

Viewing Forecast For

Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 15th July 2026
Last updated Tue 14th Jul 26 at 4:28PM

Summary for all mountain areas

Warm across the hills with strong sunshine. Fog for lower eastern areas from dawn - Scottish hills above the fog, whilst low cloud banks drift onto hill slopes over Pennines for a few hours. Easterly breeze, strongest for south Pennines & Wales. Extremely dry ground, beware of fire.

Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath

Warm and sunny, early low fog. Light wind.

How windy? (On the Munros)

East or southeasterly 5 to 10mph.

Effect of the wind on you?

Negligible.

How Wet?

No rain expected

Cloud on the hills?

Mountains clear, early low inversion

From dawn, fog confined to some glens and only lowest hill slopes mainly north and eastern areas, locally lasting a few hours, but dispersing in the morning, retreating away toward the coast.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

Practically certain

Sunshine and air clarity?

Strong sunshine on hills all day. Excellent visibility on high terrain, early low fog leaves some low-level haze.

How Cold? (at 900m)

16C from dawn (warmer than glens), rising to 19C (glens reach 25C or locally 27C north of Cairngorms).

Freezing Level

Above the summits.

Viewing Forecast For

Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 16th July 2026
Last updated Tue 14th Jul 26 at 4:28PM

How windy? (On the Munros)

Northeasterly, 5 to 10mph, at times 15mph mainly later in day.

Effect of the wind on you?

Small.

How Wet?

No rain expected

Cloud on the hills?

Hills clear

Fog over the North Sea may have extended inland into some glens toward the north and east around dawn, but soon dispersing.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

Practically certain

Sunshine and air clarity?

Sunshine over the mountains dawn til dusk, occasional thin high cloud. Visibility excellent, some mist patches from dawn in glens and over lochs.

How Cold? (at 900m)

16C from dawn, (warmer than glens at first), rising to 19C (glens reach 25C or locally warmer around Strathspey).

Freezing Level

Above the summits.

Viewing Forecast For

Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 17th July 2026
Last updated Tue 14th Jul 26 at 4:28PM

How windy? (On the Munros)

Northerly 15 to 25mph, local 30mph northeastern tops.

Effect of the wind on you?

Fairly small, but feeling more blustery at times and noticeable cooler on high terrain.

How Wet?

Rain unlikely

An odd pocket of drizzle possible over northern Cairngorms.

Cloud on the hills?

Covering northern hills for a time

Varied banks of cloud drifting onto some hill slopes, mainly north Cairngorms. Higher terrain may be above the cloud, but some cloud banks likely drifting higher up for periods, then thinning. Well broken cloud further south.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

50% north, 80% south.

Sunshine and air clarity?

Patchwork of sun and cloud. Visibility very good or excellent.

How Cold? (at 900m)

10 to 14C, coolest in northern areas around cloud banks.

Freezing Level

Above the summits.

Planning Outlook

Settled summer weather continues into the weekend and next week as high pressure dominates. Warm temperatures on the hills in midweek will trend cooler from the north from Friday into the weekend, dropping below 10C on summits for periods, mainly Scottish mountains. Most persistently cooler in the north where some cloud will be drawn over the tops at times, occasional light showery rain. Otherwise generally ongoing dry weather, with good amounts of sun and many hill tops often clear of cloud. Continuing very high risk of fire with extremely dry ground conditions. A change of weather pattern late in the month brings scope for rain and thundery showers.