Cairngorms
Aviemore & Cairngorm Weather
Mountain forecast and current conditions · summit 1245m
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:18
- Sunset
- 21:06
- Civil dawn
- 04:29
- Civil dusk
- 21:55
NOAA Solar Calculator · 5 May 2026
About the weather here
Aviemore is the main gateway town for the Cairngorms and sits at approximately 230m in the Spey valley below the plateau. The town has a more continental microclimate than the west coast — colder in winter, drier in summer, with more reliable snow cover for skiing and winter hillwalking. The Cairngorm plateau above (1,000–1,300m) has a sub-arctic climate with extreme wind and cold.
What to expect
Aviemore's valley climate is deceptively benign compared to the plateau above. Sunny, calm conditions in the town centre can co-exist with severe gales and whiteout on the Cairngorm summit 14km away and 1,000m higher. The Cairngorms have a blocking effect on westerly systems that can leave the Spey valley in sunshine while the rest of Scotland is wet. However, this same blocking effect can produce extreme cold spells with prolonged frost in the valley.
Wind exposure
Moderate in Aviemore town; severe to extreme on the plateau. The Cairngorm summit holds the UK wind gust record. The ski area road is exposed and can be impassable in drifting snow. The valley itself is relatively sheltered by the surrounding hills.
Winter conditions
Aviemore is Scotland's winter sports capital — the Cairngorm ski area typically opens December–April. The Cairngorm plateau is a world-class winter hillwalking and mountaineering destination with reliable snow, ice and the most comprehensive avalanche monitoring in Scotland (SAIS Northern and Southern Cairngorms). Valley temperatures in winter can reach -20°C in severe anticyclonic conditions — the coldest temperatures regularly recorded in the UK.
Official forecasts
Always check an official mountain forecast before setting out. Current conditions displayed above are from the Open-Meteo API and are indicative only.
Hills in this area
| Hill | Height |
|---|---|
| Cairn Gorm | 1245m |
| Ben Macdui | 1309m |
| Braeriach | 1296m |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the weather like in Aviemore?
- Aviemore has a relatively continental climate — drier than the west coast, with more extreme temperature contrasts. Summer is pleasant (15–20°C on good days) with long daylight. Winter brings reliable cold and often significant snowfall in the valley as well as the mountains. Annual rainfall is around 950mm — roughly half that of Fort William.
- Is the Cairngorm plateau safe in summer?
- The plateau can be walked safely in good summer conditions but weather changes rapidly and wind speeds are exceptional year-round. Navigation on the featureless plateau in mist requires map and compass — GPS alone is not sufficient. Carry full waterproofs and warm layers even on sunny summer days.
- What is the coldest temperature recorded near Aviemore?
- Braemar (50km south) holds the UK's lowest recorded temperature at -27.2°C (1895 and 1982). The Cairngorm summit and Aviemore valley regularly record -20°C or below in severe winter anticyclonic conditions. These are genuinely dangerous temperatures — exposed skin freezes within minutes.
- When does the Cairngorm ski area open?
- The Cairngorm Mountain ski area typically opens in December or January depending on snowfall, and closes in April (occasionally May in a good year). Check cairngormmountain.org for current opening status and snow conditions. The mountain road to the car park is open year-round (weather permitting).