Cairngorms
A good day in the Cairngorms, though expect sleet or snow up high.
Sunshine and sky
Cloud becoming more extensive. Cloud cover is likely to increase as sunshine becomes less frequent.
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 north-westerly wind of 15–25 mph, gusting 20–30 mph, strongest first thing and easing later. A wind like that will be noticeable on ridges and open tops, and you will chill quickly when you stop.
Walking impact
A steady wind of 15–25 mph will be noticeable on ridges and open tops, and you will chill quickly when you stop.
Rain and showers
A band of sleet crosses in the early afternoon, clearing by mid-afternoon. Expect up to 2 mm in total, measured as melted water, so any snow would lie deeper. Drizzle is possible on some hills. On some hills, sleet is possible on the tops. Small temperature changes could shift the mix towards rain or snow.
Cloud-free summits
Clear-summit estimate: about 90% early, about 45% around midday and about 35% later.
Cloud and visibility
The tops are likely to drift in and out of cloud, with the best chance of clear tops early in the morning. The cloud base could be as low as 1100–1400 m in the early afternoon.
Temperature and wind chill
At around 900 m it will be 0 to 4°C, feeling like -6 to -2°C in the wind. 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 close to summit height.
Daylight
Sunrise 07:51, Sunset 18:07, about 10.3 hours daylight.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaAcross these hills, a mixed night to camp, mainly because of the cold: dry, with light winds. 59Mixed · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full regional overnight outlook
Across these hills, a mixed night to camp, mainly because of the cold. Light winds on open ground, gusting no more than about 15 mph. It should stay dry. A cold night, down to about 3°C around 900 m.
Moon overnight
Waxing crescent moon
- Illuminated disc
- 44%
- Moonrise
- Outside this window
- Moonset
- 21:22 BST
Cloud and terrain vary across the area. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 17 Oct, 17:00 BST to 18 Oct, 08:00 BST. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Representative location: 57.070, -3.669. Times vary across the area.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 4 mph / 12 mph
- Coldest
- 4.1°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- Low
- Wind / gust
- 4 mph / 14 mph
- Coldest
- 4.1°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- Low
- Wind / gust
- 5 mph / 16 mph
- Coldest
- 3.0°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- Low
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 & scramblingBetaSub-zero temperatures and moisture may leave icy patches on exposed rock. Wet rock is likely. 17Poor · 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 (17/100). 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. 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 12 October 2026 at 15:29 UTC. See typical weekly and monthly conditions for Cairngorms.