Cairngorms
Monday 31 August 2026 · The Cairngorm plateau and eastern high tops
Why: Forecast models differ on whether meaningful rain reaches the hills during the main walking period.
Poor visibility is the main concern. Expect showers or rain at times and summit clag likely.
High-ground wind (900 m)
Westerly around 15 mph at 900 m. Gusts reaching around 25 mph at 900 m, with locally higher values possible on the most exposed tops. Starting nearer 10 mph, then strengthening toward 15 mph later.
Walking impact
Noticeable on exposed ground, but unlikely to impede most walking.
Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms are possible from early morning into the afternoon. Keep an escape route from exposed ridges and descend if thunder develops.
Rain and showers
Showers or spells of rain at times. The heaviest rain is expected later in the day.
Cloud-free summits
Around 20%. Around 70% early, falling to around 0% later.
Cloud and visibility
Cloud bases mostly around 400-1000 m. Bases are likely to lower later in the day. Most higher summits are likely to be in cloud for much of the day, with only brief or isolated breaks.
Temperature and wind chill
Around 6°C at 900 m, feeling like 2°C in the wind.
Freezing level
Above the summits.
Daylight
Sunrise 06:13 — Sunset 20:15 — about 14.0 hours daylight.
Overnight · 6 p.m.–9 a.m.Wild campingBetaThunder risk is around 35% in parts of the area; avoid exposed pitches if storms develop. 52/100Mixed · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full regional overnight outlook
Across representative hills, open-hillside camping looks mixed around 600 m (52/100). Some overnight rain is likely, so expect a damp pitch or pack-up.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 10 / 17 mph
- Coldest
- 8.1°C
- In cloud
- Unlikely
- Condensation
- Moderate
- Wind / gust
- 11 / 22 mph
- Coldest
- 7.5°C
- In cloud
- 38% of night
- Condensation
- Moderate
- Wind / gust
- 13 / 24 mph
- Coldest
- 5.5°C
- In cloud
- 38% of 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 & scramblingBetaThunder risk is around 26% in parts of the area; exposed scrambling may be a poor choice. 4/100Poor · Very poor View detailsHide details
Full regional climbing & scrambling outlook
Conditions for exposed scrambling across the area look very poor (4/100). Rain is likely to leave rock wet; polished slabs, vegetation and drainage lines may be notably worse. Mapped summit-point geology across the representative hills includes granite, gneiss or gabbro; moisture response can therefore vary substantially 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.
Updated 30 August 2026 at 04:40 UTC. See typical weekly and monthly conditions for Cairngorms.