Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Wednesday'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.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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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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.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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
Wednesday 9th September 2026
Last updated
Tue 8th Sep 26 at
4:16PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Breezy with early scattered rain in north and east Scotland, both easing for a dry and bright afternoon with little wind. Blustery Pennines just at dawn, notably east, but this easing; dry in England with most hills and fells clearing. Early patchy rain in north Wales gradually clears for a bright afternoon.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Early patchy rain, blustery east; easing for mostly sunny afternoon
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 25-35mph, gusty to start with maximum speeds over high Cairngorms to 40mph just at dawn. Soon beginning to ease, shifting westerly, 10-15mph much of afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking in exposure to start, considerable wind chill; easing to small effects.
How Wet?
Showers fading
Scattered showers push onto most mountains from the north before dawn, soon scattering and clearing away to the east (Monadhliath hills soon dry), all hills likely dry from midday onward.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting to high terrain, increasingly breaking
From dawn, high Cairngorms start in cloud, bases to 900-1000m on north slopes, locally lower east in showers. Cloud will lift and increasingly break off the summits from midday. A few odd banks may roll over the highest tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Starting cloudy north Cairngorm plateau, sun breaking out, mostly sunny later with very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C rising to 8C, or locally a degree milder eastern Cairngorms. Feeling like -5C in direct wind early, wind chill effect easing.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 10th September 2026
Last updated
Tue 8th Sep 26 at
4:16PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25-35mph, strengthening to sustained 45-50mph over Cairngorm plateau with strong gusts.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking increasingly strenuous in exposure, strong gusts making stability challenging; notable wind chill.
How Wet?
Patchy rain gradually increases
A largely dry start, drizzly spotty rain drifts from the southwest, tending to increase in time; northern Cairngorms driest longest. From later afternoon, heavier bursts forming, and setting in as evening approaches.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over high terrain, later more extensive
May be fairly extensive over high terrain to start, bases as low as 700-800m towards Drumochter, tending to lift, may break towards Cairngorm tops for a time, best breaks north slopes. Through afternoon, cloud fills in more extensively.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of weak sun, becoming more overcast. Varied visibility, windows where very good, notably north Cairngorms.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C rising to 9C, or 10C northern Cairngorms; staying lifted into night. Feeling below freezing in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 11th September 2026
Last updated
Tue 8th Sep 26 at
4:16PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly 25-35mph, quite gusty over the Cairngorm plateau; lessening somewhat.
Effect of the wind on you?
Ease of walking impacted in exposure, some buffeting gusts impact stability in the morning; feeling chilly.
How Wet?
Substantially dry
A little drizzly rain over high terrain near and west of the A9, this soon fading for dry mountains.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting to high tops, breaking up
A deck of cloud covers high Cairngorms, bases lowest around Drumochter/west of A9, some low ragged patches in sheltered areas. Soon lifting, to just banks rolling over the Cairngorm plateau, these increasingly breaking up.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Gradually rising to 60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sun in and out, more widely in the east with time. Good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C rising to 8C. Feeling like -3 to -5C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
A typical autumnal pattern in the week ahead: periods rain and strong wind, gales over tops at times, particularly in Scotland. Temperatures generally mild, some warmer windows in England and Wales, as well as cooler windows, chilly at times in Scotland, a little sleet possible on highest tops and feeling cold during strong winds. Best chance of near-term settled windows on Friday and Sunday: mornings start cool with scattered low cloud, lifting and breaking up, clearest on eastern hill groups. Weather remains mixed into next week with more swathes of rain and strong wind. A tendency towards high pressure building southwest of the country will bring more bright, drier days to England and Wales. Staying unsettled longer in Scotland. Indications of more extensive windows of settled weather in the later month.