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
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Dry and sunny
Extensive sunshine. The mountains free of cloud once any early mist patches disperse.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
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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Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Dry and sunny
Extensive sunshine. The mountains free of cloud once any early mist patches disperse.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
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 17th October 2026
Last updated
Fri 16th Oct 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Light frost and patchy mist to start, soon thawing and most hill-cloud dissipating for fairly widespread chilly sunshine. A few early light showers affect north Wales and east Pennines, afternoon high cloud in England. Far northwest Scotland sees more hill cloud with a few sleet/snow showers.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Early patchy mist and frost clears for chilly sunshine
How windy? (On the Munros)
North-northwesterly 10-15mph, perhaps some stronger gusts in the east just around dawn but lessening with direction becoming variable.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible.
How Wet?
No precipitation expected
Cloud on the hills?
Largely clearing
Patches at varied heights to start, some mist in sheltered glens. Will lift and begin to dissipate after sunrise, some cloud briefly rolling over the Cairngorms from the north but will continue to break for clear summits. A little cloud may return to the high Cairngorms later afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly extensive sun, some cloud may form north as afternoon goes. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C, rising a degree, to 4C on southern Cairngorms.
Freezing Level
Poorly defined: around high Cairngorms, dawn frosts on sheltered low slopes/glens, thawing through morning.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 18th October 2026
Last updated
Fri 16th Oct 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 10-15mph, though variable in both direction and speed.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small.
How Wet?
No rain expected
Cloud on the hills?
Little or none
Patchy mist in sheltered glens and corries at dawn will soon begin to lift and largely dissipate. Some chance a little ragged cloud drifting around higher slopes briefly (perhaps below highest summits), but ultimately clearing.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Likely extensive sun. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C, rising to 4C north Cairngorms; little change with added height.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but frosts common at dawn on sheltered slopes/into glens, thawing in the morning.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 19th October 2026
Last updated
Fri 16th Oct 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 15 to 25mph, locally variable and some gusty spots. Speeds tending to rise later, 30mph from dusk.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but feeling chilly and later may affect comfortable walking in exposure.
How Wet?
Largely dry
Some drizzly rain may develop over hills toward Deeside and Braemar.
Cloud on the hills?
Lowest cloud south and east
A layer of cloud above 600-700m likely to affect south and eastern hills much of the day and rolling across higher Cairngorms slopes, mostly above 800m; very highest tops may be above cloud. Patchier banks toward Monadhliath.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%, to 60% Monadhliath
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine mainly toward Strathspey and Monadhliath with excellent visibility, cloudier further south and east, reduced visibility if damp.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 5C, little change all day and small variation with height over the mountains. Feeling like 0 to -5C in exposure to wind.
Freezing Level
Frost widely in glens and some sheltered higher areas early morning; otherwise above the summits.
Planning Outlook
A window of more settled weather continues into Sunday as high pressure extends over Britain. Clear night skies allow for chilly mornings with ground frosts, some valley mist particularly in Scotland. The new week starts with some rain and wind in Wales and south Pennines, more settled to the north but with strengthening wind and building cloud as well. A general unsettling trend indicated through next week as winds return to Atlantic southwesterlies. A few windows of brighter weather in eastern areas, but a rising risk of strong wind and heavy rain into late week and next weekend.