Mountain Weather

Cairngorms mountain weather in May.

Typical wind, temperature, cloud and hill-day conditions for May, based on 40 years of high-ground history.

40-year mountain climate

What is Cairngorms weather like in May?

Historically, May has been a mixed and often challenging month on the high ground. Of 1,240 representative high-ground days, 22% were excellent or good, 63% were average, and 15% were poor or severe.

Dry days accounted for 49% of the sample, while extensive cloud affected 58%. These figures describe representative high ground around 1,245 metres, so coastal and low-level conditions can be milder.

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Excellent or good22%Historically dry49%High-ground temperature3.4°CTypical maximum gust26 mphStronger days around 34 mph
Plan beyond the forecast

Choose an area and week.

Saturday dates are highlighted because they usually unlock the widest choice of seven-night cottage stays. Other arrival days still work.

Typical conditions, not a forecastThis describes representative high ground. A difficult hill day can still be suitable for a lower-level plan.
Week 19 · 8 May

What this week is typically like on Cairngorms high ground.

Across 280 comparable historical hill days, 24% were excellent or good and 17% were poor or severe.

Check the live Cairngorms forecast →
Historically excellent or good24%280 comparable days
Excellent6%Good18%Average59%Poor17%Severe0%
Historically dry46% of daysTypical daily max gust25 mphStronger days around 32 mphTypical high ground2.7°C24-hour mean near 1,245 mExtensive cloud57% of days

May context: 22% of days across the month were excellent or good; 15% were poor or severe. Read the full May guide.

Planning a different time of year?Compare Cairngorms month by month
January to December

Cairngorms mountain weather by month.

Each month has its own detailed climate guide, with the historical balance of excellent, good, average, poor and severe days on representative high ground.

January8% good
61% average · 31% poor or severe
February10% good
62% average · 28% poor or severe
March14% good
63% average · 23% poor or severe
April18% good
67% average · 15% poor or severe
May22% good
63% average · 15% poor or severe
June15% good
72% average · 13% poor or severe
July14% good
74% average · 12% poor or severe
August13% good
72% average · 15% poor or severe
September14% good
71% average · 15% poor or severe
October9% good
67% average · 24% poor or severe
November8% good
69% average · 23% poor or severe
December9% good
64% average · 27% poor or severe
Strongest historical signals

Best weeks of the year for Cairngorms mountain weather.

These are the six week bands with the largest historical share of excellent or good days. They are useful for broad trip timing, but the live forecast should decide the final plan.

  1. 01
    Week around 17 April24% excellent or good · 15% poor or severe
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  2. 02
    Week around 8 May24% excellent or good · 17% poor or severe
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  3. 03
    Week around 22 May24% excellent or good · 17% poor or severe
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  4. 04
    Week around 29 May21% excellent or good · 14% poor or severe
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  5. 05
    Week around 1 May20% excellent or good · 13% poor or severe
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  6. 06
    Week around 15 May19% excellent or good · 15% poor or severe
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20 mountain areas

Compare another part of the UK.

Each page includes weekly and monthly high-ground climate summaries, a highlighted Saturday planner and nearby accommodation.

Angus GlensScotland · strongest historical month: May23% good Argyll and Loch LomondScotland · strongest historical month: May28% good Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)Wales · strongest historical month: June31% good CairngormsScotland · strongest historical month: May22% good Clwydian Range and BerwynsWales · strongest historical month: April28% good DartmoorEngland · strongest historical month: July37% good Eryri (Snowdonia)Wales · strongest historical month: May31% good Lake DistrictEngland · strongest historical month: May35% good Lewis and HarrisScotland · strongest historical month: May29% good LochaberScotland · strongest historical month: May25% good Mid Wales and Cambrian MountainsWales · strongest historical month: May32% good Monadhliath and Creag MeagaidhScotland · strongest historical month: May22% good North PenninesEngland · strongest historical month: May28% good Northumberland and CheviotsEngland · strongest historical month: May32% good Northwest HighlandsScotland · strongest historical month: May27% good Peak DistrictEngland · strongest historical month: July30% good Perthshire HighlandsScotland · strongest historical month: May25% good SkyeScotland · strongest historical month: May38% good Southern ScotlandScotland · strongest historical month: May34% good Yorkshire DalesEngland · strongest historical month: May32% good