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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
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
Saturday 23rd May 2026
Last updated
Fri 22nd May 26 at
3:08PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Scotland: Gusty south-westerly will feed extensive low cloud and patchy drizzle into the west. Mostly dry for eastern hills where cloud will lift and break off the hills. England and Wales: Low cloud and local drizzle morning western hills, mainly coasts, but burning off to leave warm sunshine widely.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Blustery, but mostly dry. Varying low cloud morning, mostly clearing by afternoon.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 20-30mph, gusts approaching 35mph over high terrain. Some risk of rising speeds later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking impeded in exposure most of the day, buffeting gusts affecting balance and walking at times strenuous.
How Wet?
Rain unlikely
Small chance an odd spot of drizzly rain affecting westernmost hills, but likely entirely dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Variable early, lifting to summits
Variable cloud banks, mostly south and west hills in the morning; tops probably shrouded. Cloud lifting and breaking by afternoon, just passing banks on summits, and perhaps largely clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine, longer windows too, but weakened by high cloud. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 or 7C, rising to 9 or 10C; always mildest east, locally 11C Glen Avon. Feeling near freezing in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 24th May 2026
Last updated
Fri 22nd May 26 at
3:08PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to south-westerly 15 to 30mph, perhaps reaching 40mph some cols and summits at times.
Effect of the wind on you?
Be prepared for blustery conditions, perhaps arduous at times some cols and summits with marked buffeting.
How Wet?
Very likely dry
Mostly dry, bar the odd spot of rain in the wind; spill over from the west.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly above tops
Persistent banks may cover tops, mainly towards Ben Alder. Otherwise, elsewhere, patches skimming tops at times, but often clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Cloud thinning and breaking to reveal some sun, mostly through high cloud. Visibility mostly very good or excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
10 to 12C, highest in the east.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 25th May 2026
Last updated
Fri 22nd May 26 at
3:08PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-westerly 20 to 35mph, strongest across the Cairngorm Plateau in the morning.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery and gusty, especially across northern hills in the morning with considerable buffeting.
How Wet?
Very likely dry
Perhaps a little spill over in occasional spots in the wind in the morning. Otherwise, dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting and breaking off the tops
May well be patches of banks capping tops for a time in the morning, especially toward Ben Alder. By afternoon, most cloud breaking above the tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Cloud layers thinning and breaking to reveal spells of sunshine. Visibility very good or excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
9 to 11C, highest in the east where locally may reach 12C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
Pressure builds this weekend, centred over England and Wales where it will be warm and sunny. To the north of the high, a blustery and gusty south-westerly will persist across the Highlands with patchy rain and hill fog,mainly in the west and northwest. Very warm by Sunday and Monday valleys of Wales and England, mid to high 20s. Low 20s glens into southern and eastern Scotland. Next week, high pressure extends over Scotland, cutting of the low cloud and drizzle from northwest Scotland by midweek with warm sunny weather, cooler in the north and east coat. Still very warm into the valleys of England and Wales with extensive sunshine.