Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Wednesday'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.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 8 to 12C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Strong warm sunshine
High UV levels, feeling very warm when ascending, beware of dehydration and sunburn.
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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.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 8 to 12C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Strong warm sunshine
High UV levels, feeling very warm when ascending, beware of dehydration and sunburn.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 20th August 2025
Last updated
Tue 19th Aug 25 at
4:32PM
Summary for all mountain areas
High pressure to northwest, north-easterly winds; gustiest England and Wales. Cloud sheet fairly extensive from dawn, breaking up through day to sunshine, but patches persisting for the northern Highlands, into eastern Border Hills, and Pennines. Best sun in the west, aside from slow-moving cloudy zone of western Argyll.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cloud on north Cairngorms may persist. Clearest and sunniest in the south.
How windy? (On the Munros)
North-easterly 10-20mph, highest early in day easternmost munros.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small; light buffeting gusts will be common over northern and eastern tops and elevated passes; feeling cool.
How Wet?
Very little or no precipitation
Chance of a few spots of drizzle in the air where under or in the low cloud, mainly northern Cairngorm NP.
Cloud on the hills?
Increasingly broken; most persistent north
From dawn cloud extensive over the north Cairngorm plateau, bases of 600m. Cloud tops initially 1000-1200m, highest tops may be clear before bases rise. Then patches of banks coming and going over northern tops. Southern hills and areas near Drumochter becoming clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% in the north, rising to 80% in south.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Dull start. Patchy sun breaking through onto northern slopes as day progresses, becoming more extensive southern areas/Drumochter. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C, rising to 10C around Drumochter. Less rise over the Cairngorms, easternmost hills only rising slightly if at all.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but some sheltered glens will have a chilly dawn with after a slight ground frost.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 21st August 2025
Last updated
Tue 19th Aug 25 at
4:32PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northeast 10 to 20mph at dawn. Tending to drop further through the day, as high pressure builds overhead.
Effect of the wind on you?
Marked chill at first in the wind, but tending to become small.
How Wet?
Dry, bar local spots of drizzle in cloud.
Scope for some spots of drizzle from the areas of low cloud as they drift south, mainly in the morning across northern and eastern areas.
Cloud on the hills?
May persist tops north, lifting elsewhere.
Cloud drifting south in morning, covering tops above 700-900m. Bases will lift and break up, with hills likely to clear, but may be slow to clear northern tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% north, but lifting to 70% in south
Sunshine and air clarity?
Often cloudy morning, before sun breaks through, but may be limited in north/east. Visibility mostly very good or excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 or 5C at dawn, will lift to 7 to 10C into the afternoon, coolest northern hills where cloud perhaps lingers tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but chilly start, with heavy dew in the glens at dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 22nd August 2025
Last updated
Tue 19th Aug 25 at
4:32PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North-westerly 10 to 15mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small
How Wet?
Rain unlikely
Scope for an isolated light shower. Otherwise dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied banks, may linger northern tops.
Patches or banks of cloud, mid to upper slopes; tops initially around 1000-1200m. Tending to lift to tops and break, but may linger across northern tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50 to 70%, highest in the south.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine may come through more widely through the day after dull start. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4C, lifting to 7 to 9C
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but some glens and corries close to freezing just before dawn, slight ground frost.
Planning Outlook
High pressure dominates through this week, with initial north-easterly winds, easing out as the high builds overhead with lighter winds. With a cooler air-mass in place, widely chilly dawns, with a slight frost for some valleys and glens, especially in the Highlands. Banks of cloud coming and going on the hills, with periods of sunshine, generally best in the west. Wind and rain may edge off the Atlantic into next week, but much uncertainty in detail and timing of this change.