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.
Dry and sunny
Extensive strong warm sunshine. The mountains free of cloud once any early mist patches disperse.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, rising above 10C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
Strong warm sunshine
High UV levels, feeling very warm when ascending, beware of dehydration and sunburn.
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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.
Dry and sunny
Extensive strong warm sunshine. The mountains free of cloud once any early mist patches disperse.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, rising above 10C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
Strong warm sunshine
High UV levels, feeling very warm when ascending, beware of dehydration and sunburn.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 30th April 2025
Last updated
Tue 29th Apr 25 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Fine and warm, or very warm Wales and Pennines. Strong sunshine, some thin high cloud; beware sunburn and dehydration. Toward northwest Scotland, strengthening southwesterly winds, more cloud at times, one or two brief showers. Into night, some rain moves into Scotland from the west.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Mostly sunny, warm. Becoming breezier.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 15 to 25mph, tending to strengthen, reaching 30mph over higher Cairngorms afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but on highest exposed terrain may start to feel noticeable and affect balance on some ridges.
How Wet?
Rain unlikely most or all day
Small risk of an isolated shower later afternoon, mainly toward northeast. Then into night, patchy rain associated with a front moves in from west, risk local heavier bursts for a time through night.
Cloud on the hills?
Little or none
Any early brief patches soon dispersing or lifting above the summits.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Above 90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine weakening at times due to varied high cloud; some fair-weather cloud builds. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
9C rising to 14C. As wind increases, feeling nearer 5C in exposure on tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 1st May 2025
Last updated
Tue 29th Apr 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 20-25mph, at times 30-35mph higher Cairngorms.
Effect of the wind on you?
Starting to impede walking, risk of stability challenges if highest winds occur; feeling increasingly chilly.
How Wet?
Often dry, odd bursts of rain
Bursts of showery rain come and go, most likely north and west Cairngorms.
Cloud on the hills?
Intermittent cloud caps on high tops
Fragments of low cloud drift onto northern slopes of Cairngorms in the morning. Bases will rise, becoming intermittent caps over high tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sunshine, weakened through high cloud. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 to 7C, a cooling trend later afternoon into evening.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but later in day dropping onto higher Cairngorms above about 1200m.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 2nd May 2025
Last updated
Tue 29th Apr 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to northwesterly 20 to 30mph, risk 35-40mph early in day on higher Cairngorms.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery, starting to affect balance on exposed higher ridges. Risk more arduous on high tops for a time. Marked wind chill.
How Wet?
Light showers
One or two brief showers coming from the west, a snow flurry on higher Munros if these occur in the morning.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting above most tops
Patchy cloud soon mostly above 1000m, rising to upper slopes then often above the hills by middle of day; patches occasionally above 1100-1200m western Cairngorms.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Broken cloud and sun, likely sunnier in east in morning. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C rising to 5 or 6C. Wind chill feeling like -5 to -8C.
Freezing Level
Near highest summits around 1100-1200m from dawn, lifting above all tops into middle of day onward.
Planning Outlook
Dropping colder across the Highlands by Thursday, near to freezing on higher summits; strong westerly winds in the north giving considerable chill factor and bringing a few showers. Warmer further south - risk of local thundery rain for Wales later Thursday. High pressure centred toward the northwest maintains plenty of dry weather over the Bank Holiday weekend with broken cloud and sun; brief local showers possible. Cool and breezy toward north and eastern mountains, lighter winds and warmer toward southwest Highlands, Cumbria and west Wales. Further into next week, risk spells of chilly and strong west-northwesterly winds particularly for the Highlands, some showery days.