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.
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.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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
Sunday 31st May 2026
Last updated
Sat 30th May 26 at
4:10PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Showers in Scotland, most frequent west where hill cloud will linger; clearer east, cloud caps around showers. Early showers and hill cloud England and Wales, cloud lifts to just passing caps Scafell and Yr Wyddfa, sun bursts breaking out and showers largely fade. Moderate breeze, occasional stronger gusts high tops.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Scattered showers; early low cloud largely clears tops
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly 15-20mph, some stronger gusts over high Cairngorms early in the day, and may later more often reach 25mph over the high plateau.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, ease of walking sometimes affected over the high Cairngorm plateau, notably early and later in the day.
How Wet?
Showers, dry windows from midday
Morning showers, and perhaps a few hours of heavier, more persistent rain early. Breaking into only scattered showers afternoon, extended dry windows. Some risk of heavy rain with thunder in the far northeast Cairngorms, some evening showers from the west too.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting to high summits with breaks
Variable banks of cloud above 700m in the morning, some lower patches south; east Cairngorms clearer, particularly north, which may see little if any. Cloud largely lifts above the summits by afternoon, only passing caps on Ben Macdui and nearby high tops, and increasingly clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Early cloud breaks in to a patchwork of sunshine. Excellent visibility away from showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C rising to 9C, may reach 10C eastern Cairngorms/Deeside.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 1st June 2026
Last updated
Sat 30th May 26 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly before dawn, soon shifting south-southeasterly 10-15mph, strengthening to 15-20mph afternoon, 25mph highest tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but notably breezy on high exposed tops in the afternoon.
How Wet?
Some patchy rain
A few spots of patchy rain drifting from the southwest as the day gets going, likely more frequent through the afternoon, but rainfall totals likely small until late when rain may become more frequent.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly clear morning, deteriorating afternoon
Scattered patches mostly above 1000m in the morning, likely lifting off the summits for several hours. As afternoon goes, bases lower to summits, further lowering to finish near 800m southern slopes. Staying clearer north, little cloud onto Monadhliath.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80% lowering to 20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy morning sun, gradually weakened by high cloud, overcast by late afternoon. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C rising to 9 or 10C, mildest N Cairngorms towards Moray Firth where may reach 11C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 2nd June 2026
Last updated
Sat 30th May 26 at
4:10PM
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.
Planning Outlook
An unsettled week ahead with low pressure facilitating periods of rain, showers, and a strengthening wind, as well as cooler temperatures. Rain spreads across most areas from the southwest on Monday, followed by showers on Tuesday, these showers perhaps turning into thunderstorms in central and east areas. The only settled window this week overnight into Wednesday, then more rain soon arrives from the west through Wednesday morning, spreading widely and with it gales likely over most hills as well except the far north of Scotland. Thursday and Friday remain showery and windy, nearly persistent rain and extensive low cloud northwest England and west Scotland, a few breaks in the east but showers always most widespread afternoon and even smaller hills seeing cloud over summits for periods.