Cairngorms
A wild day on the tops in the Cairngorms, with severe winds and many summits in cloud for most of the day. Not a day for the summits.
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-westerly wind of 50–60 mph, gusting 65–75 mph. Gusts like that are strong enough to make movement extremely difficult on exposed ground. During the strongest gusts, walking or standing may be impossible and you could be blown off your feet. Avoid exposed high ground.
Walking impact
Gusts of 65–75 mph are strong enough to make movement extremely difficult on exposed ground. During the strongest gusts, walking or standing may be impossible and you could be blown off your feet. Avoid exposed high ground.
Ground conditions
The ground is likely to be wet after recent rain.
Rain and showers
Rain for much of the day, becoming heavier through the afternoon. Expect 5–10 mm in total. Some forecast models bring rain during the afternoon, while others keep it mostly dry. 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 -4 to 0°C in the wind. It turns milder through the day. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.
Freezing level
The freezing level is above the summits.
Daylight
Sunrise 07:44, Sunset 18:15, about 10.5 hours daylight.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaNot a night to camp on the open hill anywhere in this area: gusts of about 65 mph and around 10 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 65 mph around 900 m and nearer 45 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 10 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 5°C at 900 m. The moon won't be up after dark, so there will be no moonlight.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 27 mph / 44 mph
- Coldest
- 7.6°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 33 mph / 54 mph
- Coldest
- 6.8°C
- In cloud
- 95% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 39 mph / 64 mph
- Coldest
- 4.9°C
- In cloud
- 95% 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 & scramblingBetaSnow is likely to be lying on some high ground. Scrambling may require winter mountaineering skills and equipment. Wet rock is likely. Gusts near 70 mph may affect balance on exposed rock. 0Poor · 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 (0/100). Rain is likely to leave rock wet. Polished slabs, vegetation and drainage lines may be notably worse. Gusts may reach about 70 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 14 October 2026 at 15:27 UTC. See typical weekly and monthly conditions for Cairngorms.