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
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 1 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 1 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
Thursday 18th September 2025
Last updated
Wed 17th Sep 25 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Strong upland wind or gales across the mountains. Frontal wave bringing persistent, heavy rain and extensive cloud from North Wales to the Southern Uplands. Highlands drier, especially east of A9, but showery near the west and north-west coast in the morning. Temperatures mild but with notable wind chill.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Upland gales but dry. Patchy cloud clearing.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 50 to 60mph in the morning. Easing a little in the afternoon to around 40mph. Very gusty.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult walking conditions will make progress challenging. Very powerful gusts may easily blow you over. Easing to arduous conditions later. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Little or no rain
Small chance of isolated light showers, particularly Ben Alder, Drumochter and the Monadhliath.
Cloud on the hills?
Clearing
Patchy cloud on high ground will lift and mostly clear in the afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60% becoming 80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Widespread sunshine through high cloud. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8C. Feeling around -5C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Well above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 19th September 2025
Last updated
Wed 17th Sep 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25 to 40mph, speeds may fluctuate through day, generally strongest in morning higher Cairngorms.
Effect of the wind on you?
Feeling blustery with balance affected at times over higher terrain, especially morning. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
A little rain mostly morning
Rain on and off for a time in the morning, mostly southern Cairngorms, smaller amounts north and eastwards. Likely to fade to become mostly dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly higher areas, breaks north
Cloud shrouding most higher ground, with cloud base lowest near Drumochter, around 800-1000m. Breaks may form over the northern corries of Cairngorm, lifting above summits at times.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine through high cloud in northern regions. Little or no sun elsewhere. Good visibility if out of cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 or 7C. Feeling sub-zero in the wind, near -5C highest summits in morning.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 20th September 2025
Last updated
Wed 17th Sep 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Forecast details uncertain. Northerly, picking up through the day to 25 to 35mph but risk of 50mph+ late evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small at first, but walking and balance increasing affected in the afternoon. Risk of difficult conditions later. Marked wind chill.
How Wet?
Little or no rain, probably
Some uncertainty: Likely an overall dry day with isolated light showers, falling as snow flurries on high ground in the afternoon. Risk of more persistent, heavier rain remains.
Cloud on the hills?
Widespread on high ground
Widespread patchy cloud at various levels through the day. Should heavier rain arrive, these will merge, lower and become more extensive.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine, possibly completely overcast. Good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C, dropping a little through the day. Higher summits likely to be below freezing in the afternoon. Wind chill: -5 to -10C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits in the morning, dropping to 1200-1100m by the afternoon and further into evening.
Planning Outlook
Weather remains mixed into and through the weekend, often with high winds, regions of persistent rain and extensive cloud. Temperatures falling through Saturday across the UK with the higher Scottish summits dropping below freezing and frosts in some glens. Looking increasingly likely that high pressure will take hold from the north on Sunday evening, bringing a period of more settled weather across the country for a couple of days at least, perhaps longer.