Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Monday's Forecast
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 5th October 2026
Last updated
Sun 4th Oct 26 at
3:52PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Humid air ahead of a cold front moving slowly south across Scotland will bring fog and drizzle to most mountain areas, although some improvement from the north across the Scottish Highlands. Upland gales will be widespread - least windy southwards along the Pennines and also Wales.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Severe gale or storm force upland wind. Rain mainly west of A9. Fog.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly in the range 45 to 70mph. Sudden gusts some lower slopes. Generally a slow easing through the day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Widely difficult walking where exposed: balance challenging in gusts (some gusts reaching lower slopes). Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Occasional rain, mainly W of A9
Morning: Rain on and off or frequent west of A9 and southern summits in Cairngorms NP, but only rarely reaching E & N Cairngorms NP. Afternoon: Still occasional rain Ben Alder east to southern summits Cairngorms NP; otherwise rain, if any rarely.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistent fog higher areas.
Morning: Persistent fog above 500 to 750m most of region, although cloud base a little higher Monadhliath and particularly east to Deeside and northernmost Cairngorms where typically 900m. Afternoon: Improving from north as cloud base rises by 200 or 300m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10% rising to 30% afternoon
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensively cloudy and hazy. Occasional sun some lower slopes, most likely east from Braemar area
How Cold? (at 900m)
9 dropping to 6C morning. Feeling like minus 8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 6th October 2026
Last updated
Sun 4th Oct 26 at
3:52PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West or northwesterly 20mph, possibly 30mph for a few hours Cairngorm plateau.
Effect of the wind on you?
Marked wind chill in much colder air. May impede ease of walking higher up, mainly near showers.
How Wet?
increasing risk snow and hail showers
Occasional probably brief hail and snow showers, mainly afternoon. A dusting of snow lying above 1100m.
Cloud on the hills?
Frequently covering higher slopes; forming lower down near precipitation.
Near showers, shafts of cloud below 600m. Otherwise cloud base by late morning 900 to occasionally 1150m (highest base generally southern Cairngorms west to Ben Alder).
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patches of sunshine, most sun southern Cairngorms NP. Mostly excellent visibility, but temporarily poor in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C, but will feel as cold as minus 5C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Just above highest summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 7th October 2026
Last updated
Sun 4th Oct 26 at
3:52PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West veering northwesterly in the range 20 to perhaps 30mph - particularly gusty near precipitation.
Effect of the wind on you?
Often fairly small, but ease of walking and balance sometimes difficult near showers. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Hail and snow; extending east
Sudden hail and snow showers, sometimes frequent, will extend eastwards. Least precipitation toward and east of Braemar Covering or dusting of snow above around 800m.
Cloud on the hills?
Very extensive on higher areas
Cloud base sometimes above 1050 to 1200m morning, but as showers come in, patches of cloud to around 600m, temporary lower west of A9, and 800m elsewhere.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patches of sun, most widely toward and east of Braemar in morning. Visibility sometimes very poor, but otherwise good, although a haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C; will feel as cold as minus 8C directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Around 1100m
Planning Outlook
A brief colder period with the wind easing on Wednesday and Thursday - some snow will lie on higher Scottish summits. Winds then return to the southwest, bringing bands of rain, low cloud and strong upland winds across Britain. Most frequent severe weather will be on the W and NW Highlands, where there will be considerable rain and frequent upland gales.