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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Dry and sunny
Extensive sunshine. The mountains free of cloud once any early mist patches disperse.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
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.
Bright sunshine
Beware of sunburn from bright spring sunshine, despite feeling cool in any breeze on higher terrain.
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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.
Dry and sunny
Extensive sunshine. The mountains free of cloud once any early mist patches disperse.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
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.
Bright sunshine
Beware of sunburn from bright spring sunshine, despite feeling cool in any breeze on higher terrain.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 30th April 2026
Last updated
Wed 29th Apr 26 at
3:17PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Unbroken bright sunshine nearly everywhere - beware of dehydration and sunburn. Windy, particularly morning southern Scotland southwards where upland gales in some areas. SW Wales often cloudy with increasing threat of a shower.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Bright sunshine. Gusty wind, particularly toward Deeside.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southeasterly 15 to 25mph, but a gusty 40mph, east from Cairngorm plateau where sometimes sudden gusts descending to lower slopes.
Effect of the wind on you?
Varied but some noticeable gusty spots, more blustery affecting balance on some slopes, not just the high tops.
How Wet?
No rain
Cloud on the hills?
None expected
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Practically certain
Sunshine and air clarity?
Unbroken sunshine. Excellent or superb visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C rising to 10 to 12C afternoon, warmest northwestern areas toward Monadhliath. Feeling near freezing directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits. Slight frost in glens at dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 1st May 2026
Last updated
Wed 29th Apr 26 at
3:17PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, 15mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small.
How Wet?
Risk a bursts of rain
Still some uncertainty: Most, possibly all areas remaining dry, but rain - ranging from a short burst to perhaps steady for an hour - may affect some areas.
Cloud on the hills?
Clear most or all day
The mountains substantially clear all day, but later if a shower occurs, odd patches may form at various heights.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Above 90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sun fairly weak through a veil of high cloud, which may extend across the sky. 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
Wed 29th Apr 26 at
3:17PM
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 overnight rain, the morning largely dry. Increasingly bursts of rain, in places 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 some 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.
Planning Outlook
Less settled this weekend and into next week. Rain will not be extensive, but in some areas persistent for a few hours and some heavy, possibly thundery bursts - although particularly by Sunday local detail is as yet uncertain. Temperature levels will drop from the north, indeed early next week overnight and mornings higher slopes will be below freezing point Scottish Highlands, and further frosts are likely in valleys.