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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Hazy, some fog banks
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Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
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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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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Hazy, some fog banks
Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
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
Monday 1st June 2026
Last updated
Sun 31st May 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Rain affects all areas during the day, some heavy falls widely, most constant in Wales. Low cloud across the hills, blanketing to lower slopes in west coastal areas. South-southwest winds, varied in Scotland, but stronger England and particularly Wales, here gales over tops. Fairly mild air, but feeling cooler in wind.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Breezy over tops. Rain on and off, patchier north.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Soon southerly from dawn, 15mph or less at first increasing to 20-25mph in morning, up to 30mph high tops for a time, then lessening a little from southwest afternoon into evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Some variation during day, at times fairly small, but gustier spots affecting comfortable walking for a few hours on exposed high ridges and tops.
How Wet?
Rain develops, most persistent south
Spots of patchy rain extend northward early morning, but often dry for a few hours. Rain developing from the southwest during morning becomes more persistent widely into middle of day, continuing on and off through the afternoon, some heavier, most persistent southern areas.
Cloud on the hills?
Patchy at first, becoming fairly extensive, lowest toward south
Scattered patches mostly above 1000m in the morning, breaks best in north. Cloud lowering and filling in over southern hills in morning to 700-800m, with time becoming more widespread, lowest bases always toward south, at times to 600m. Some breaks above 900m north Cairngorms to Monadhliath.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70% lowering during morning to 20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Any early weak sun giving way to mostly overcast skies. Visibility very good where dry and below cloud, but reducing to poor where rain becomes more persistent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C rising to 9 or 10C, mildest N Cairngorms where may reach 11C. Feeling near -5C directly in the stronger wind over high tops in morning.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 2nd June 2026
Last updated
Sun 31st May 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly 10 to 20mph, but may be variable low speeds at times.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small.
How Wet?
Showers, becoming heavy, thundery
Scattered showers in morning developing more widely into afternoon, some heavier bursts, risk of a localised thunderstorm, mainly toward east-northeast later. Possibly some more persistent rain.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over tops, some breaks
Patchy cloud banks over hills in morning, becoming confined to upper slopes with breaks to tops. Around showers, cloud lowering over hills, varied ragged patches.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, though possibly often cloudy. Visibility very good, reduced in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8C up to 10C afternoon.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 3rd June 2026
Last updated
Sun 31st May 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 25 to 40mph, chance of increasing further during day, possible 50mph higher Cairngorms at least.
Effect of the wind on you?
Very blustery, strenuous walking in exposure, buffeting gusts on ridges and tops. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain develops mostly south
Patchy rain extends in from the southwest, may become fairly persistent from Ben Alder to southern Cairngorms, but smaller amounts northeastward.
Cloud on the hills?
Lowest southern Cairngorms NP
Fairly extensive above 700-900m southern areas, but may be higher early in day. Higher cloud base northward, mostly above 900m, some higher breaks.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% south, to 40% north.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mainly north and east of Cairngorms. Visibility good below cloud, reduced around rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 or 7C, slight rise afternoon. Wind chill feeling like -5 to -8C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
An unsettled spell through early June, possibly through the first two weeks, as low pressure over the north Atlantic and southwesterly winds dominate. Periods of rain mixed with showery days widely - the most constant rain over western mountains with low cloud often shrouding the hills. Wind speed will vary, but up to gale-force for periods over the hills, mostly in Scotland by later this week. Higher pressure to the south tends to expand across and just east of Britain later in the week, bringing some drier weather, but western hills even in England and Wales may remain often misty and drizzly. Temperatures near average, cooler at times. Mid June onward shows signs of drier and warmer weather.