Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Friday'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.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, 10 to 15C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
Bright sunshine
Beware of sunburn from bright spring sunshine, despite feeling cool in any breeze on higher terrain.
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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.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, 10 to 15C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
Bright sunshine
Beware of sunburn from bright spring sunshine, despite feeling cool in any breeze on higher terrain.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 24th April 2026
Last updated
Thu 23rd Apr 26 at
3:19PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Some valley fog/mist at dawn, notably east, local frosts as well. Soon after sunrise, cloud dissipates for widespread strong sunshine and warming temperatures, many valleys approaching 20C, including Scottish Highlands; high UV levels, beware sunburn risk. Negligible wind, though a blustery start in south Wales.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Warm sunshine; chilly glens at dawn, patchy mist
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable 10mph or less, though a trend towards northwesterly at times.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible.
How Wet?
No rain expected
Cloud on the hills?
Some early low mist, otherwise clear
Mist in some glens at dawn, briefly lifts upslope after sunrise, but soon largely dissipates for cloud-free hills.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Practically certain
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensive sunshine. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8C rising to 10 to 12C, coolest temperatures northeast Cairngorms. Glens start much cooler, then approach 18 to 20C afternoon.
Freezing Level
Above the summits. At dawn, slight frost in some glens and possibly sheltered elevated hollows.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 25th April 2026
Last updated
Thu 23rd Apr 26 at
3:19PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable mostly 10mph or less. May become north-northwesterly 15mph mainly northeastern Cairngorms.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small.
How Wet?
Any rain unlikely
Cloud on the hills?
Cloud forming north and east areas
Some low-level mist mainly eastern glens in the morning, possibly an early layer of fog covering low terrain to the east and north. Cloud developing from north with time to cap some high terrain, most extensive north; staying clear Drumochter/southwest Cairngorms.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely sunny, but clouding over from the north during day. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8 to 10C, but may drop several degrees in northeastern areas, approaching 2 or 3C; mildest near Drumochter.
Freezing Level
Above the summits. Patchy frost at dawn inland glens and sheltered higher areas.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 26th April 2026
Last updated
Thu 23rd Apr 26 at
3:19PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly, though some variability, 10-15mph. Occasional gustiness.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, though some local gusty spots, and not just on high terrain.
How Wet?
Likely dry
Chance of an odd spot of light rain later in the day, most hills entirely dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Early cloud below summits, dissipating
Cloud at various heights in the morning, mostly below 1000m, and most extensive southern Cairngorm slopes/Deeside; only patchy mist north and soon clear. Cloud lifts and gradually dissipates through morning
Chance of cloud free Munros?
90% (summits above morning cloud)
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine, best in the morning but weakened by high cloud. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 or 4C, warming to 7C. Always at least a degree warmer on northern Cairngorm slopes.
Freezing Level
Above the summits. A chance of patchy light frosts in some eastern glens and corries.
Planning Outlook
A generally dry spell of weather continues into the weekend and next week, with mostly light winds and pleasantly warm temperatures, reaching 10C+ on many tops. Valleys and some sheltered higher areas will see some frosty and misty dawns but by the afternoons many valleys will warm up toward 20C. Briefly cooler air drifts back into northeastern areas later on Saturday, with a risk of some patchy nuisance rain here and there Sunday into Monday. Strong April sunshine widely across the mountains, beware risk of sunburn. Some uncertainty about the location of the centre of high pressure, with a risk of strong, gusty winds across England and Wales next week.