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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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 3rd June 2026
Last updated
Tue 2nd Jun 26 at
3:39PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A band of rain sweeps across the country bringing several hours of persistent rain and extensive fog: first in Wales, then England and much of Scotland by early afternoon. Breaking to frequent showers, risk isolated lightning. Very windy England and Wales, gales over Wales summits.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Rain on and off morning; foggy and often raining afternoon
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly at dawn 15-20mph, trending southerly and strengthening towards 15-25mph. Shifting southeasterly briefly afternoon, tops speeds to 30mph over high tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small at first, ease of walking becoming affected in exposure, a risk of more strenuous conditions with notable wind chill for a few afternoon hours.
How Wet?
Raining most of afternoon, persistent south
Patchy rain extends in from the southwest in morning, dry windows for several hours. Through afternoon, becoming increasingly persistent from Ben Alder to southern Cairngorms, patchier near Glenmore to north Monadhliath, but odd heavy bursts, and likely widely persistent for a few hours.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied banks early, more extensive afternoon
Cloud banks come and go above 800-1000m through morning in showery rain, then filling in fairly extensively above 700-900m southern areas afternoon; higher cloud base northward, mostly above 900m, some higher breaks, including Monadhliath summits. Ragged patches lowering in rain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% morning, lowering to 20% south, to 40% north.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine through morning, overcast for several afternoon hours, perhaps some northern sunny glimpses late in the day. Visibility good below cloud, reduced around rain, becoming poor south.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 or 7C, slight rise afternoon, most northern slopes reaching 8C. Feeling near freezing in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 4th June 2026
Last updated
Tue 2nd Jun 26 at
3:39PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable early, 15-20mph and often less. Turning southwest then westerly 25-35mph, strongest south.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small to small effects early in day, but becoming more blustery, affecting comfortable walking. Marked wind chill.
How Wet?
Bursts of rain increasingly, risk lightning
Scattered showery rain early, broader heavier bursts of rain into midday hours, merging into more constant falls, thundery downpours during the afternoon and into evening, greatest risk far east.
Cloud on the hills?
Most extensive in rain
Varied patches in the morning, becoming mostly confined to upper slopes, brief breaks toward north and east. Lowering during and after rain, covering tops, ragged patches from forest canopies up.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little weak sun mainly morning. Visibility good for a time below cloud, reduced in rain, occasionally poor.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 or 7C, may rise to 8C; dropping overnight. Feeling close to freezing in wind, near -3C if exposed to stronger speeds.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 5th June 2026
Last updated
Tue 2nd Jun 26 at
3:39PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 25-30mph, stronger gusts over tops at dawn. Easing to 15-20mph, shifting slightly southwesterly.
Effect of the wind on you?
Ease of walking impacted through morning with notable wind chill, some buffeting in exposure; later fairly small.
How Wet?
Patchy rain
A band of moderate rain from before dawn soon passes north after sunrise, followed by patchy rain from the west much of the day, perhaps a drier window around midday. Rain will be mostly light.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting to high tops, regularly clearing
May be fairly extensive above 1000m just at dawn (and before), but soon breaking up as morning gets going and bases lifting to just the high Cairngorm plateau, the tops largely clear except for a few passing caps over the high tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine, perhaps sunnier for a few hours around midday. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4C to start, rising to 5C, perhaps 6C north Cairngorm slopes. Feeling like -5C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
An unsettled spell this week with low pressure over the north Atlantic and west-southwesterly winds dominating. Periods of rain mixed with showery days widely - the most constant rain over western mountains with low cloud often shrouding the hills; bases will typically lift somewhat afternoon. Wind speed will vary, but up to gale-force for periods over the hills this week. Temperatures near average, cooler at times. A brief brighter window Friday afternoon, then unsettled again over the weekend, though detail is currently uncertain. Next week is probably unsettled as well, at least in the north, but higher pressure south of the UK may bring drier and brighter periods to Wales and south Pennines. Scotland remains often blustery and wet, and perhaps chilly, risk briefly freezing on highest tops.