Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Today's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Chilly
Air temperature near or just above freezing on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Bright sunshine
Beware of sunburn from bright spring sunshine, despite the chilly air.
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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Chilly
Air temperature near or just above freezing on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Bright sunshine
Beware of sunburn from bright spring sunshine, despite the chilly air.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 25th March 2025
Last updated
Mon 24th Mar 25 at
3:40PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Fine weather for Scotland, sunshine best toward the south and east, chance of a brief shower northwest. Chilly breezes over higher terrain. A front clearing southwards over England & Wales brings a little rain and cloud covering the hills, but improving from the north.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Breezy on tops. Dry with sunshine and patchy cloud.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 25 to 35mph, at times 40mph higher Cairngorms in the morning.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting comfortable walking over higher terrain and balance on exposed ridges. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Dry all day
Remnants of overnight rain clearing before dawn to leave a dry day.
Cloud on the hills?
Very little
Brief patches over higher slopes in the morning, lifting to be mostly above higher summits.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70% rising above 90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchwork of sun, best toward Deeside. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 to 5C. Wind chill feeling like -5 to -8C.
Freezing Level
Close to highest summits in the morning, rising further above the tops. Patchy snow lying on highest terrain.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 26th March 2025
Last updated
Mon 24th Mar 25 at
3:40PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, strengthening 30 to 45mph, risk 60mph higher Cairngorms toward evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Deteriorating to make walking increasingly arduous, later difficult on higher terrain, wind chill becoming significant.
How Wet?
Rain unlikely until evening
Dry most or all daylight. Rain then developing from the west from dusk onward into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly clear, local patches
Patchy mist lower slopes from dawn. Some cloud banks drifting over upper slopes, but many hills often clear. Toward evening, risk lowering cloud starting to fill in from west.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A veil of high cloud with a little weak sun; cloud tending to thicken from west. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 to 4C. Wind chill feeling like -10C, nearer -15C as speeds increase.
Freezing Level
Close to freezing some sheltered higher and lower slopes at dawn; otherwise above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 27th March 2025
Last updated
Mon 24th Mar 25 at
3:40PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 35 to 50mph, strongest over Cairngorm plateau, at times 60mph higher tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking, balance often affected on exposed tops and ridges, frequent buffeting. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Occasional rain spots
A little rain occasionally in the wind, mainly west of the A9, snow grains higher tops. Later in the day risk more persistent rain developing from west, but little reaching eastern Cairngorms NP.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly higher tops, lowering southwest
Banks of cloud mostly above 900m, some breaks to higher slopes in east & north. Becoming more persistent over upper slopes and lowering from the west with time, to around 700m Drumochter area.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%, later 20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little weak sun through high cloud, giving way to thickening cloud cover. Visibility very good, becoming slightly hazy.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C rising to 3C. Wind chill feeling like -10C, to -15C on higher tops.
Freezing Level
1000m early morning, rising to 1200m or above into afternoon.
Planning Outlook
Westerly winds prevailing from midweek through to the weekend - often gale force over the mountains, particularly Scotland. Spells of rain, most persistent in western Scotland. Temperatures near or just above freezing on Scottish tops midweek, then widely chillier by Friday into the weekend - sub-zero on all hills above 800m, with showers of snow on hills and sometimes hail. An improving trend by Sunday into early next week high pressure starts to rebuild, bringing dry weather and lighter winds for most places.