Cairngorms
A blustery westerly wind is the main concern. Expect mostly dry conditions, with higher hills often in cloud.
Sunshine and sky
Extensive cloud. Cloud is likely to remain extensive for much of the day.
These are direct modelled sunshine hours during daylight, not the probability of sunshine. Cloud cover and summit cloud are assessed separately in the forecast above. The regional median prevents one unusually bright or dull summit cell defining the whole area.
Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.
High-ground wind (900 m)
Westerly around 25-35 mph at 900 m at the windiest part of the day. Gusts around 35-45 mph at 900 m, with locally higher values possible on the most exposed tops. Period averages are highest around midday, near 25 mph, compared with 20 mph early and 20 mph later.
Walking impact
Buffeting may affect balance on exposed ground, particularly near ridges and edges.
Ground conditions
Nearby rainfall suggests wet ground. Conditions may differ across the area.
Rain and showers
Mostly dry.
Cloud-free summits
Estimated summit clearance: around 0% early, around 0% around midday, around 5% later.
Cloud and visibility
Cloud bases mostly around 500-800 m. Widespread summit cloud is likely, with limited opportunities for clear views.
Temperature and wind chill
Around 9°C at 900 m, rising from about 10°C early to 12°C by afternoon, feeling like 5°C in the wind. Exposed tops may feel chilly in the wind. A windproof layer will help, with an extra warm layer for stops.
Freezing level
Above the summits.
Daylight
Sunrise 06:56, Sunset 19:17, about 12.3 hours daylight.
Differences across the area
More sunshine is likely around the eastern hills than the western hills. This is a broad-area estimate, not sunshine on every summit.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaExposed camping is not recommended in parts of the area near 600, 900 m. Strong overnight winds affect some representative hills. Check the individual hill and height forecast. Do not assume lower ground provides suitable shelter. 19/100Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full regional overnight outlook
Exposed camping is not recommended in parts of the area near 600, 900 m. Strong overnight winds affect some representative hills. Check the individual hill and height forecast. Do not assume lower ground provides suitable shelter. Across representative hills, open-hillside camping looks very poor around 600 m (19/100). Little rain is forecast, but cloud or condensation could still mean a wet pack-up.
Moon overnight
Waxing gibbous moon
- Illuminated disc
- 78%
- Moonrise
- 18:04 BST
- Moonset
- 01:04 next morning BST
Cloud and terrain vary across the area. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 21 Sep, 17:00 BST to 22 Sep, 08:00 BST. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Representative location: 57.070, -3.669. Times vary across the area.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 18 mph / 36 mph
- Coldest
- 10.4°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 22 mph / 44 mph
- Coldest
- 10.4°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 25 mph / 52 mph
- Coldest
- 8.6°C
- In cloud
- 100% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
Open-hillside guidance across representative hills. Local shelter, ridges, tent design and the exact pitch can change conditions substantially. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.
Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaRock may be damp or still drying. Gusts near 40 mph may affect balance on exposed rock. 11/100Poor · Very poor View detailsHide details
Regional climbing & scrambling outlook
A broad guide to dampness and exposed rock across the area, not a forecast for every crag. Lower, sheltered crags and individual rock types may behave differently.
Conditions for exposed scrambling across the area look very poor (11/100). Some rock may remain damp or incompletely dried, especially in shade and seepage lines. Gusts may reach about 40 mph on exposed ground, making crosswinds an important route consideration. Mapped summit-point geology across the representative hills includes granite, gneiss or gabbro. Rock can therefore respond differently to moisture between crags and routes.
Representative summit-point samples across the region; individual crags and routes may differ.
Generic exposed hands-on-rock terrain across representative summits; mapped summit-point geology is a broad regional sample, not a named-route survey. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.
Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit
For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.
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Weather data: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Mountain Weather.
Updated 21 September 2026 at 06:08 UTC.