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.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 8 to 12C 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.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 8 to 12C 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
Tuesday 19th August 2025
Last updated
Mon 18th Aug 25 at
4:31PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A cooler feeling day with a rather gusty east to north-east airflow. An extensive cloud sheet, with local drizzle, covering many hills from dawn, but some westernmost hills still clear. Low cloud will burn back to eastern and northern hills, with sun most widely in the west, but low cloud persisting for parts of coastal western Scotland.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Feeling cooler with persistent cloud banks in north and east, with local drizzle.
How windy? (On the Munros)
East to northeasterly 10 to 20mph, local gusts 25mph particularly around higher Cairngorms.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but feeling breezier on some exposed terrain and noticeably chilly on high tops.
How Wet?
Pockets of drizzle from low cloud
Pockets of drizzle around cloud banks, mainly in the north and east.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistent north slopes, some breaks
Low cloud may persist much of the day across many hills, base around 700-800m, possibly lower northeastern areas; top of cloud layer around 1200-1300m, high tops at times poking out. Cloud may break a little with time, best breaks near Drumochter/Ben Alder from mid afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%, but perhaps up to 60% towards Ben Alder afternoon.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun breaking through, may stay dull toward north/east. Visibility good below cloud, though may stay dull.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8 to 10C, may rise slightly out of cloud, but tending to lower gradually later in the day, to 5C into night.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 20th August 2025
Last updated
Mon 18th Aug 25 at
4:31PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 10-20mph; some lower speeds and variable near Drumochter.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small; light buffeting gusts will be common over eastern tops and elevated passes; feeling cool.
How Wet?
No rain expected
Cloud on the hills?
Increasingly broken; most persistent north
From dawn, cloud fairly extensive over the north Cairngorm plateau, bases of 600m. Southern hills and areas near Drumochter substantially clear. Bases rising towards 1000m or higher and breaking, clearing tops at times.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%, rising to 70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine onto northern slopes, more extensive southern areas/Drumochter. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C, rising to 10C around Drumochter. Less rise over the Cairngorms, easternmost hills only rising slightly if at all.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 21st August 2025
Last updated
Mon 18th Aug 25 at
4:31PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northeast 10 to 20mph at dawn. Tending to drop further through the day, as high pressure builds overhead.
Effect of the wind on you?
Marked chill at first in the wind, but tending to become small.
How Wet?
Dry, bar local spots of drizzle in cloud.
Scope for some spots of drizzle from the areas of low cloud as they drift south, mainly in the morning across northern and eastern areas.
Cloud on the hills?
May persist tops north, lifting elsewhere.
Cloud drifting south in morning, covering tops above 700-900m. Bases will lift and break up, with hills likely to clear, but may be slow to clear northern tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% north, but lifting to 70% in south
Sunshine and air clarity?
Often cloudy morning, before sun breaks through, but may be limited in north/east. Visibility mostly very good or excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 or 5C at dawn, will lift to 7 to 10C into the afternoon, coolest northern hills where cloud perhaps lingers tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but chilly start, with heavy dew in the glens at dawn.
Planning Outlook
High pressure centred toward the northwest this week, before building overhead again toward weekend. East to northeasterly winds prevailing, gusty for periods, easing out later in week. Extensively dry with sunshine best in west, low cloud for periods northern and eastern mountains with occasional drizzle. Still very dry underfoot with significant fire risk. Turning cooler through midweek, mountain temperatures falling, chilly into the valleys and glens pre-dawn, risk slight frost in Highland glens. Fine weather likely next weekend too; will likely begin to break down from the west into the following week, but uncertainty on timings of such a transition.