Cairngorms
A mixed day in the Cairngorms, with many summits in cloud for most of the day.
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)
At around 900 m, expect a south-easterly wind of 10–20 mph, gusting 15–25 mph.
Walking impact
Noticeable on exposed ground, but unlikely to impede most walking.
Rain and showers
It should stay dry.
Cloud-free summits
Clear-summit estimate: about 15% early, about 10% around midday and about 10% later.
Cloud and visibility
Expect many summits to be in cloud for most of the day. The cloud base could be as low as 600–900 m mid-afternoon. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass. Mist or fog is possible in some valleys early on.
Temperature and wind chill
At around 900 m it will be 0 to 4°C, feeling like -4 to 0°C in the wind. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer.
Freezing level
The freezing level is above the summits.
Daylight
Sunrise 07:33, Sunset 16:21, about 8.8 hours daylight.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaAcross these hills, a mixed night to camp, mainly because of the rain: gusts of about 30 mph. 59Mixed · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full regional overnight outlook
Across these hills, a mixed night to camp, mainly because of the rain. Gusts reach about 30 mph on open ground, so peg out well and use the guylines. Look for shelter from the southeast. Some light rain is forecast overnight. Up around 900 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. The air is damp at every height we checked (300-900 m), so expect heavy condensation. Leave the vents open. A cold night, down to about 2°C around 900 m.
Moon overnight
Waning crescent moon
- Illuminated disc
- 11%
- Moonrise
- 04:12 next morning GMT
- Moonset
- Outside this window
Cloud and terrain vary across the area. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 5 Nov, 17:00 GMT to 6 Nov, 08:00 GMT. 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
- 13 mph / 20 mph
- Coldest
- 3.5°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 15 mph / 24 mph
- Coldest
- 3.5°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 17 mph / 29 mph
- Coldest
- 2.2°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 & scramblingBetaCloud may complicate route-finding and retreat. 48Poor · Mixed 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 mixed (48/100). Rock is likely to be mostly dry, though local seepage and shaded holds remain unresolved. 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 5 November 2026 at 16:25 UTC.