Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Monday's Forecast
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
Chilly
Air temperature below +5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
Chilly
Air temperature below +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
Monday 26th May 2025
Last updated
Sun 25th May 25 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales widespread over the mountains, during afternoon in Wales strengthening to become increasingly severe on tops. Showery bursts, most frequent in the west, hail and isolated thunder. Merging into constant and heavier rain for England, Wales and southwest Scotland later.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Upland gales, heavy showers, hail, chance lightning.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, 35 to 45mph, at times 50mph on higher Cairngorms; squally gusts in showers. Speeds moderating toward evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Frequent buffeting across the hills, making balance difficult on exposed ridges; gusts could knock you over. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Increasingly showery, heavier afternoon
Showers mostly toward the west early morning; a few hours more often dry toward Deeside, but showers increasingly widespread, some heavy bursts with possible hail, small chance of lightning.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over higher tops
Patches over higher slopes in the morning, clearer in east. Most cloud becomes confined above 1000m with higher breaks, always best in east, but some patches to 800m or lower at times around showers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%, to 60% toward east.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun mostly morning, then just brief bursts of sun. Visibility excellent for periods, but suddenly poor in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C rising to 4C. Wind chill feeling like -10C high tops.
Freezing Level
1100-1200m early morning, rising just above highest summits into afternoon.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 27th May 2025
Last updated
Sun 25th May 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to southwesterly 25 to 35mph in morning, gradually easing to 15-20mph or less afternoon-evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery, affecting comfortable walking on exposed higher areas in morning, likely becoming smaller.
How Wet?
Rare showers
Often dry, one or two brief showers possible.
Cloud on the hills?
Clearing most or all tops
Patches of cloud in the morning mostly above 900m, most common toward the A9. Lifting above most or all tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Broken cloud and sun. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C rising to 5C. Wind chill feeling like -5 to -8C in morning.
Freezing Level
1200m early morning, rising above all summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 28th May 2025
Last updated
Sun 25th May 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 25 to 30mph, at times 35mph on higher Cairngorms, mainly northern areas.
Effect of the wind on you?
Starting to impede ease of walking where exposed, very blustery over higher terrain. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Passing showers
Occasional brief showers, mostly west of the A9 in the morning, one or two further eastwards middle of day onward, possible hail. Into night, chance of heavy rain moving in from southwest (may stay further south).
Cloud on the hills?
Patches lifting above tops
Patches of cloud on higher slopes above 1000-1200m in the morning, lifting to only occasionally graze highest summits by middle of day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% rising to 90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Broken cloud and sun; cloud filling in for periods. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C rising to 5C. Wind chill feeling like -5C, to -8C higher Cairngorms.
Freezing Level
Around 1200-1300m early morning, then rising above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Changeable conditions this week with low pressure and frontal systems passing west to east. West to southwesterly winds prevailing, speeds varied, but gale force for periods on the mountains. Spells of rain and showers, some periods of sustained heavier rain. Cloud often shrouding higher terrain. Better toward the east and northeast of Scotland. Generally rather cool for Scotland, near freezing on highest summits early in week, then a little milder, or warmer further south over England & Wales. Some improvements in conditions especially in southern areas as pressure builds at times, but mixed westerlies are likely to prevail into the start of June.