Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Saturday'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
.jpg "Hazy, some fog banks"){kind=icon}
Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
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.
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
Saturday 2nd May 2026
Last updated
Fri 1st May 26 at
2:58PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Very varied weather across the country: wettest in far northern and later eastern Scotland as cold and blustery weather penetrates southwards. Rain will later set in from south across Wales. Otherwise, areas of low cloud and pockets drizzle lifting to give patchy sunshine.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Much colder. Increasingly wet and foggy.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Morning: Direction varied; widely 10mph or less. Through afternoon: North to northeasterly 25 to 30mph, initial Cairngorms and Lochnagar before the stronger winds penetrate across region.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible
How Wet?
Rain on and off, risk heavy bursts
Morning: largely dry. Afternoon: Increasingly bursts of rain, in some areas east of the A9 setting in for a couple of hours, and at times heavy, possible thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Generally extensive on higher areas, may clear some higher tops
Low cloud may well be widespread from dawn, although the base likely to rise to or above 1050m by late morning. As rain forms, so cloud filling in widely above 600m, and fragments upward from forest canopies (particularly N Cairngorms and Deeside), although most cloud above 600m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60% by late morning; then dropping to 10% from north
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sunshine before cloud fils in from north. The air very clear, but visibility poor where raining.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 to 8C, dropping from north afternoon toward 3C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits - although close to highest tops Cairngorms by dusk.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 3rd May 2026
Last updated
Fri 1st May 26 at
2:58PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Direction varied widely 10mph or less.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible.
How Wet?
Little or no rain
Risk of the odd light shower.
Cloud on the hills?
May persist higher tops
Cloud may be extensive on higher slopes morning, but by midday should be above about 1000m, possibly 1200m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Only occasional sunshine. Excellent or superb visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C, rising to 5 to possibly 7C west of A9.
Freezing Level
Just above highest summits. Frost some valleys at first.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 4th May 2026
Last updated
Fri 1st May 26 at
2:58PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 15mph, perhaps 20mph for a few hours.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small
How Wet?
Occasional rain
Frequently dry; although scattered showers developing middle of day. These may merge in afternoon to give an hour or two of constant rain in places. Total rainfall probably small.
Cloud on the hills?
Covering higher Munros most or all day
Cloud base likely to vary, generally rising through the morning to 850 to 1050m, and perhaps occasionally 1200m. However, near rain, expect cloud to be extensive for a couple of hours above 600m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patches of sunshine, mainly morning. Visibility generally very good. Temporarily poor in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C, rising by mid afternoon to 4 to 6C, warmest more southern ranges.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
Lower than normal temperatures on the mountains most or all next week, particularly across the Scottish highlands where fresh snow in some areas and freezing level sometimes below 750m. Generally though, although the weather mixed, total rainfall will be fairly small and winds often light (at least until toward the weekend). Cloud will frequently be above mountain summits.