Cairngorms
Cairngorm Weather
Mountain forecast and current conditions · summit 1245m
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:17
- Sunset
- 21:05
- Civil dawn
- 04:29
- Civil dusk
- 21:53
NOAA Solar Calculator · 5 May 2026
About the weather here
Cairngorm (1,245m) is the sixth-highest mountain in the UK and the centrepiece of the Cairngorm plateau — the largest area of land above 900m in Britain. The plateau has a sub-arctic climate unique in Scotland, with reliable winter snow cover, frequent whiteout conditions, and a mean annual temperature below 1°C at summit level.
What to expect
The Cairngorm plateau experiences a more continental climate than the west Highland mountains — colder and drier in winter, with more settled summer periods. However, wind speeds are exceptional: the summit weather station regularly records the highest sustained wind speeds in the UK. The plateau's flat, featureless terrain amplifies the danger of whiteout conditions — visibility can drop to near zero with no landmarks to navigate by. Summer temperatures can be pleasant but change rapidly.
Wind exposure
Severe. The Cairngorm summit weather station has recorded the highest wind gust ever measured in the UK (173mph / 278km/h in March 1986). Annual mean wind speeds at the summit are among the highest in Europe. The plateau's open exposure gives no shelter — there is nowhere to hide from wind on the high ground.
Winter conditions
The Cairngorm plateau is Scotland's premier winter environment. SAIS Northern Cairngorms provides the avalanche forecast for the area — the Northern Corries (Coire an t-Sneachda and Coire an Lochain) are the most-forecasted and most-visited winter climbing venues in Scotland. Whiteout navigation on the plateau is a genuine skill requiring compass and GPS. The ski area car park at 635m is the highest drive-in start in Scotland and allows rapid access to winter conditions.
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 |
|---|---|
| Ben Macdui | 1309m |
| Cairn Lochan | 1215m |
| Beinn Mheadhoin | 1182m |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the highest wind speed ever recorded on Cairngorm?
- A wind gust of 173mph (278km/h) was recorded at the Cairngorm summit weather station on 20 March 1986 — the highest ever recorded in the UK. Mean annual wind speeds at the summit are consistently among the highest in Europe.
- Is the Cairngorm plateau dangerous in summer?
- The plateau can be walked safely in good summer conditions, but weather changes rapidly. The featureless terrain makes navigation difficult in mist — compass skills are essential. Navigation errors on the plateau can lead walkers to cliff edges above the Northern Corries. Always carry a map, compass and know your escape routes.
- When does snow fall on Cairngorm?
- Snow can fall on the Cairngorm summit in any month of the year. Significant winter snow cover typically arrives in November and can last until May or June on north-facing aspects. The plateau sees an average of 80 days of lying snow per year at 1,000m — far more than the UK average.
- Can I use the funicular to check conditions on the plateau?
- No — funicular passengers must return via the funicular and cannot access the mountain from the top station (Ptarmigan building at 1,090m). This rule prevents poorly-equipped tourists from accessing the plateau. Walkers must ascend from the ski car park on foot.