Cairngorms
A poor day on the tops in the Cairngorms, with many summits in cloud for most of the day and a blustery wind.
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 southerly wind of 20–30 mph, gusting 30–40 mph. Gusts like that are strong enough to make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges.
Walking impact
Gusts of 30–40 mph are strong enough to make walking into it hard work, with buffeting on ridges and edges.
Ground conditions
The ground is likely to be wet after recent rain.
Rain and showers
Drizzle sets in mid-morning. Expect 2–5 mm in total. On some hills, cloud may make navigation difficult, with very poor visibility in wetter spells.
Cloud-free summits
Clear-summit estimate: about 10% 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 400–700 m in the late 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.
Temperature and wind chill
At around 900 m it will be 4 to 8°C, feeling like 0 to 4°C in the wind. A windproof and an extra layer for stops will help. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.
Freezing level
The freezing level is above the summits.
Daylight
Sunrise 07:40, Sunset 18:20, about 10.7 hours daylight.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaNot a night to camp on the open hill anywhere in this area: gusts of about 60 mph and around 14 mm of rain. 9Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full regional overnight outlook
Not a night to camp on the open hill anywhere in this area. Gusts reach about 60 mph around 900 m and nearer 40 mph around 300 m, strong enough to flatten or tear a tent. Check the forecast for the hill and height you have in mind, and don't assume lower ground will be sheltered. About 14 mm of rain is forecast overnight. Above about 600 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. Overnight lows of about 6°C at 900 m. The moon won't be up after dark, so there will be no moonlight.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 25 mph / 42 mph
- Coldest
- 9.0°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 29 mph / 51 mph
- Coldest
- 8.0°C
- In cloud
- 100% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 34 mph / 60 mph
- Coldest
- 6.0°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 & scramblingBetaWet rock is likely. Gusts near 35 mph may affect balance on exposed rock. 5Poor · 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 (5/100). Rain is likely to leave rock wet. Polished slabs, vegetation and drainage lines may be notably worse. Gusts may reach about 35 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 11 October 2026 at 16:11 UTC. See typical weekly and monthly conditions for Cairngorms.