Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Monday's Forecast
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
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 typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
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 typically 0 to 5C 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
Monday 15th December 2025
Last updated
Sun 14th Dec 25 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A slow-moving area of rain affects England and Wales, heavy falls over south-facing hills, flooding likely. Drier for much of Scotland, though some showers affect the west coast; beware flooding after previous rain. Back just below freezing over higher Munros, some icy surfaces on tops.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Gusty in places, but generally dry, cloud breaks north.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Some variation of speeds, southwesterly 15 to 25mph, strongest toward west Cairngorms / Monadhliath.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, though gusty winds may be suddenly uncomfortable in exposure.
How Wet?
No rain expected
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly high tops, banks south/west
Variable: banks of cloud drifting over high Cairngorms, some lower banks on southern and western slopes as well. Best breaks toward the north.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% southwest areas, to 70% north
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sun mostly north of Cairngorms, a veil of high cloud. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C, slightly warmer eastern areas. Feeling like -5C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
1100 to 1200m. Beware icy rock surfaces on highest tops.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 16th December 2025
Last updated
Sun 14th Dec 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25 to 35mph. Strengthening onward into night to gales.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery and starting to affect comfortable walking and balance on exposed higher terrain, considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Local showers west
Risk of occasional showers mostly toward Ben Alder, falling as snow flurries above 800-900m. More likely substantially dry much of Cairngorms NP.
Cloud on the hills?
Patches some slopes, clearer north/east
Patchy cloud banks likely to drift over some higher slopes, mostly above 800-900m in the southwestern Cairngorms to Ben Alder, but good breaks likely. More often clear to tops further east and north.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine most frequent north/east, glimpses elsewhere. Visibility excellent out of cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 1C. Feeling like -10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m. Slight frost sheltered glens in morning.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 17th December 2025
Last updated
Sun 14th Dec 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 50 to 60mph, often 70mph higher Cairngorms, powerful gusts in places downslope to north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions over the mountains, walking difficult in exposure, sudden buffeting to some mid-slopes.
How Wet?
Rain and some hill snow, mostly south
Rain and initially snow above 700-900m from before dawn, turning to rain during morning toward higher slopes, heaviest southern Cairngorms NP, some heavy; less toward north. Later becoming showery.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive higher areas
Shrouding most higher terrain all day, from mid-slopes up southern Cairngorms around to Drumochter. Mostly higher tops northward, but rarely above summits.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and murky south. Better visibility below cloud and if drier locally north.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C rising to 3 or 4C. Feeling like -12 to -15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Varying, 800-1000m in morning, then rising above highest summits; then into night dropping to 1100-1200m.
Planning Outlook
Prolonged rain will leave flooding of streams and rivers in many mountain areas early in the new week, with the exception of northeastern Scotland. As a front clears Monday into Tuesday it will drop to freezing above 900m, beware of ice forming on higher Scottish mountains. Drier conditions for many on Tuesday, though showery near west coast of Scotland. By Wednesday, another system sweeps in from the Atlantic bringing further rain and gales. A risk of more heavy rain particularly England and Wales later in the week. A change of weather pattern is likely in the run up to Christmas, as high pressure builds northward, bringing drier weather, possibly chillier with time.