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
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, 10 to 15C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, 10 to 15C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 1st May 2026
Last updated
Thu 30th Apr 26 at
3:09PM
Summary for all mountain areas
As pressure falls slowly, so extensive high level cloud and bursts of rain (perhaps thundery in places later in day) will spread east - although the precise locations of the showery rain remains uncertain. Patches of low cloud, mainly near Irish Sea coasts will accompany the rain.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
A few bursts of rain; fairly light wind.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, 15mph, perhaps 20mph close to the coast, particularly toward evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small.
How Wet?
Bursts of rain developing; small chance lightning
Extensively dry morning before a few bursts of rain spread east. By mid afternoon, scattered heavy bursts with small risk thunder. Here and there the rain may set in for an hour or so.
Cloud on the hills?
Little ir any
The mountains substantially clear of cloud, but in and after rain, patches will form at various heights, locally from forest canopies up but mostly above 600m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Through morning from west becoming extensively cloudy but bright (as weak sun comes through high cloud layers). Visibility very good, slight haze develops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
10C rising to a very warm 15C afternoon.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 2nd May 2026
Last updated
Thu 30th Apr 26 at
3:09PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
(Low confidence in this forecast) Direction varied; widely 10mph or less.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible
How Wet?
Rain on and off, risk heavy bursts
After patchy overnight rain, the morning largely dry. Increasingly bursts of rain, in some areas east of the A9 setting in for a few hours and there may be heavy thundery bursts.
Cloud on the hills?
Generally extensive on higher areas, may clear some higher tops
Cloud may well be widespread from dawn, although may well let to or above 1050m through the morning. Where rain forms, cloud filling in widely above 600m, and fragments upward from forest canopies, although here most cloud above 600m, and perhaps breaks to 900m
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sunshine. The air very clear, but visibility often poor in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Varying between 5C and 10C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 3rd May 2026
Last updated
Thu 30th Apr 26 at
3:09PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Direction varied widely 10mph or less. May become north to northeasterly and strengthen a little.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible.
How Wet?
Little or no rain
Risk of the odd light shower.
Cloud on the hills?
May persist higher tops
Cloud may be extensive on higher slopes morning, but by midday should be above about 1000m, possibly 1200m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Only occasional sunshine. Excellent or superb visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C, rising to 5 to possibly 7C.
Freezing Level
Just above highest summits. Frost some valleys at first.
Planning Outlook
Less settled from the weekend onwards. Rain will be more frequent although apart from on Saturday night and Sunday (when a band of rain will move north about as far as central Scotland - the detail presently very uncertain) total rainfall will remain fairly small. Temperature levels will drop markedly, particularly on the Scottish Highlands, where overnight and mornings higher slopes will be below freezing point on Scottish Highlands - with hail and snow flurries. Overnight frosts may extend as far south as Wales again.