Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Friday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
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
Friday 12th June 2026
Last updated
Thu 11th Jun 26 at
4:07PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Strong wind for all. Showers and fog in west Scotland all day, passing east afternoon, persistent for a few later hours. Gales into Scotland from the west late afternoon into evening. Morning rain, drizzle, and fog in England, easing afternoon, driest S Pennines. Drizzle in Wales fades afternoon, sun glimpses break out.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Light showers west, more widely afternoon; windy, late gales
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 30 to 40mph, several midday/afternoon hours on the lower end of the range, though staying stronger near and south of Loch Tay. Trending to higher speeds widely late in the day, sustained speeds to 45-50mph over tops into nighttime.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking often strenuous on exposed tops, perhaps a few hours of smaller effects, particularly in sheltered areas. Conditions deteriorate to difficult late in the day with significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Occasional drizzly showers west, more showery later
Drizzly showers most common near and west of the A9, only few brief showers pass further east, probably dry towards Ben Avon. Showers spread further east through later afternoon, some extended falls reaching western hill groups late in the day.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent southwestern hills
Cloud banks most persistent over hills near Drumochter, above 700-800m. Further east, banks come and go above 900-1000m, a few breaks to tops, best in the far east, but banks increasingly frequent through afternoon, perhaps more extensive into evening.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% southwest, to 50% northeast; deteriorating late in the day
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sunshine, more often cloudy westernmost hill groups. Visibility good below cloud, and particularly east; reduced at times in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C rising to 8C for a few afternoon hours, locally 9C easternmost Cairngorms. Returning to 5 or 6C as evening approaches. Feeling like -5C where exposed to wind on higher Cairngorms.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 13th June 2026
Last updated
Thu 11th Jun 26 at
4:07PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 40-50mph, shifting northwesterly later. Speeds likely vary though the day, easing somewhat west later
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous or difficult walking over the high tops with significant wind chill. Maintaining stability requires sustained effort.
How Wet?
Rain, mostly afternoon
Rain drifting from the northwest for much of the day, some more persistent falls possible near and west of Ben Macdui for periods. Drier Deeside until afternoon when rain spreads more widely for several hours.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly high terrain, later more extensive
Cloud banks likely shroud the high Cairngorm plateau most of the day, some variability northern slopes where may reach to 800-900m. May fill in more extensively for several afternoon hours to at least 700m, or lower north slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sunshine, best sun towards Deeside, but cloudier periods too. Very good visibility out of cloud and rain, but notably variable.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C rising to 6 or 7C, mildest Deeside. Feeling as cold as -7C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 14th June 2026
Last updated
Thu 11th Jun 26 at
4:07PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 15-20mph early, shifting northerly and easing to 10-15mph, always strongest east areas; lighter later west.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, some notable gusts over the high Cairngorm plateau, particularly east.
How Wet?
Light patchy rain fades
Some fine drizzle over the Cairngorm plateau in the morning with a few patches of light rain drifting from the north. Any precipitation likely fades for a dry afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting to high tops, some breaks
Most terrain above 1000m shrouded at dawn, patchy lower banks to 700m northern Cairngorms and Monadhliath. Cloud bases rises with time, south Cairngorm slopes soon largely clear of cloud, and may clear highest tops afternoon, but always a chance of passing cloud caps.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Increasingly sunny, particularly south slopes, but weakened by high cloud. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C rising to 9 or 10C, mildest south of high Cairngorms; may stay a degree cooler Ben Avon.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Higher pressure to the southwest this weekend, bringing warmer and drier conditions to Wales. Showery rain affecting Scotland on Saturday, some patches reaching northwest England; staying very windy and cool in Scotland and northern England on Saturday too. Sunday will be a clearing day for most: early rain in Scottish Highlands easing and most cloud lifting off summits, sunshine but weakened by high cloud. Temperature more widely mild, warm in Wales. Into next week, a mixed southwesterly pattern remains, windy at times with periods of rain, drizzle and low cloud most persistent in the west. Warmest in England and Wales, but cooler westerly air likely returns at times mid-late week. Pressure generally trending higher, but extensively settled weather may remain elusive in the near-term.