Cairngorms 4000s weather forecast

Compare Cairn Gorm, Ben Macdui, Cairn Toul, Sgòr an Lochain Uaine and Braeriach in one forecast view.

5 summitsAll five above 4,000 feet

Forecast comparison

Every summit is shown side by side. The combined grade gives extra weight to the weakest forecast.

SummitGradeForecast summaryWindRainSummit viewsDetails
Cairn Gorm1,245 m
78Good

A good day on Cairn Gorm, though expect cloud coming down onto the tops.

Wind27 mph SGusts 36 mph
Rain0.8 mm
Summit views46%
Ben Macdui1,309 mLimiting summit
65Mixed

A mixed day on Ben Macdui, with a blustery wind and cloud coming down onto the tops.

Wind27 mph SGusts 36 mph
Rain0.8 mm
Summit views45%
Cairn Toul1,291 m
78Good

A good day on Cairn Toul, though expect cloud coming down onto the tops.

Wind27 mph SGusts 36 mph
Rain0.8 mm
Summit views46%
Sgòr an Lochain Uaine1,258 m
78Good

A good day on Sgòr an Lochain Uaine, though expect cloud coming down onto the tops.

Wind27 mph SGusts 36 mph
Rain0.8 mm
Summit views46%
Braeriach1,296 m
78Good

A good day on Braeriach, though expect cloud coming down onto the tops.

Wind27 mph SGusts 36 mph
Rain0.8 mm
Summit views46%

Weather data: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Mountain Weather.

Moon for your challenge

Night before your chosen day: Sunday 18 October 2026

Cairngorms

Area reference: Ben Macdui. Local mountain horizons will vary.

Moon information is unavailable for this night at this summit. An earlier night may no longer be in the current forecast.

Night beginning Monday 19 October 2026

Cairngorms

Area reference: Ben Macdui. Local mountain horizons will vary.

Waxing gibbous moon

Illuminated disc
63%
Moonrise
Outside this window
Moonset
00:06 next morning BST

Moon up during darker hours18:40 BST to 00:05 BST next morning

Window: 19 Oct, 17:00 BST to 20 Oct, 08:00 BST

Approximate times in UK local time, for an open horizon. Moon-up periods are rounded to five minutes. Hills and cloud can hide the Moon. Illumination is the sunlit percentage of its disc, not how bright your route will be. Darker hours here begin after civil twilight. This almanac covers only the stated overnight window and does not change the weather grade. Take a headtorch and spare power regardless.

Planning the Cairngorms 4000s

The Cairngorms 4000s links five of Britain’s highest summits across a remote, exposed plateau and the Lairig Ghru. Even when the general pattern is settled, cloud, wind and temperature can differ across this large mountain area.

Use the challenge grade to compare dates, then inspect all five rows. The forecast does not account for river crossings, snow cover, navigation or the very substantial distance between summits.

Read Cairngorms 4000s route context

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Light background. Three daily grades with the limiting summit. Suggested height: 300 px.

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