Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Thursday's Forecast
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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.
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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 20th February 2025
Last updated
Wed 19th Feb 25 at
4:21PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gale force winds widespread across the mountains. South and west areas will often be rainy, most persistent near coasts, some heavy bursts at times moving inland. Less rain further east & northeast. Extensive low cloud shrouding the hills.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Gales widely. Cloudy with rainy spells.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 50-55mph. Some gusts reaching 65mph Deeside. A slight southwesterly shift in the afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Any walking difficult, you may struggle to stay on your feet. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain south and west, patchy to the north
Spells of rain through the day west and southern Cairngorms. Rain more spotty northern Cairngorms and Monadhliath, showery here later afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive south, varied north
Cloud to lowest slopes abundant in the south. Bases will be highest Monadhliath east to N Cairngorms and Deeside where breaks to 800m, locally 1000m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%, 30% north
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine. Visibility mostly poor, very poor in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C, cooling a degree or two through the afternoon. Feeling like -10C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits. Where frozen, terrain will thaw through the day.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 21st February 2025
Last updated
Wed 19th Feb 25 at
4:21PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, soon 60-80mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Any mobility very difficult. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Wet south, intermittent spells north
Often raining west and south Cairngorms. Some spells of rain will reach north over the Cairngorm plateau.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive south, varied north
Extensive mid-to-low cloud south Cairngorm plateau. Bases will be highest Monadhliath east to N Cairngorms, perhaps towards 1000m at times.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine. Poor visibility, very poor in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 to 7C. Western areas may slightly cool in the afternoon. Feeling as cold as -12C in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 22nd February 2025
Last updated
Wed 19th Feb 25 at
4:21PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25-35mph. Strongest winds around Monadhliath, up to 40mph around dawn.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking strenuous at times with some stability challenges. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Little precipitation expected
A few patches of light drizzle into areas west of A9, brief flurries on Munros.
Cloud on the hills?
Few patches southwest, tops clear
Cloud banks often lingering on higher slopes around the A9 and south Cairngorms. Higher summits near the top of the cloud layer. Slopes north of Cairngorm plateau often clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% south, 80% north
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sunshine south, frequent or widely sunny north. Good visibility, excellent north.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C Feeling like -8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
1200m. Mostly above Deeside summits.
Planning Outlook
Frequent rain and periods of gale or storm force upland wind over the next several days. All terrain will have thawed by the weekend, though on Saturday, higher Scottish summits will be below freezing and over England and Wales there will be a lull in the wind. Deteriorating again widely into Sunday. Becoming very wet underfoot on western mountains. Next week sees lower temperatures, a return to mostly sub-freezing conditions over Scottish Munros, whilst lower Scottish hills plus mountains in England & Wales will see some freeze and thaw. Showery conditions with hail and upland snow, mixed with occasionally more widespread precipitation and low cloud, though periods of clearing will occur as well.