Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Friday's Forecast
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 19th December 2025
Last updated
Thu 18th Dec 25 at
4:25PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Southwesterly gales, severe across the Highlands, giving significant wind chill and showers. Showers frequent western Scotland, with snow falling down to 800m with hail and risk lightning. Scattered showers for England and Wales where hill fog confined to western tops.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Severe gales; significant wind chill. Showers, mostly west, snow tops.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 50 to 70mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions over the mountains, frequent buffeting from modest elevations upward. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers mostly west, hail, snow tops
Showery precipitation most common in areas near and west of the A9, with hail, also falling as snow above 800m. Becoming more scattered later in the day. Few showers reaching eastern hills.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly higher tops, breaks east
Frequently on higher slopes toward western Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath, base mostly above 800m. Often above 1000-1100m east, good breaks likely.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun, best toward east. Visibility often very good, but at times very poor in showers in west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 1C, slight rise later. Feeling like -15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m, may then rise a little to 1200m onward into the night.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 20th December 2025
Last updated
Thu 18th Dec 25 at
4:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to south-easterly 25 to 40mph, perhaps touching 50mph at times over Cairngorm Plateau.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking very likely arduous for periods with a very gusty and turbulent airflow. Significant wind chill and buffeting.
How Wet?
Mostly dry
Very likely staying dry, with just scope for the odd spot of light rain or drizzle for hills near and west of the A9.
Cloud on the hills?
Breaks in north, covering hills in south.
Banks of low cloud covering the Drumochter hills and over to Ben Alder across upper slopes above 700m. Further north, caps of cloud mainly over tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% south, 60% north
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sun Visibility good, but poor in any rain or drizzle. General haze west coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C, small rate of change in temperature with height.
Freezing Level
Around 1200m
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 21st December 2025
Last updated
Thu 18th Dec 25 at
4:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-easterly backing easterly 20 to 30mph, perhaps lifting to 40mph at times.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery, turbulent airflow with significant wind chill. Sudden gusts running downslope and reversals in direction.
How Wet?
Patchy rain and summit snow
A few patches of rain or summit snow may feed in from the east or south-east at times. Small amounts and may well be dry for several hours.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Hills very likely shrouded in cloud down to mid or upper slopes. Some breaks possible, between cloud layers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly overcast. Visibility good at times, but poor in any rain or snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 1C, small change in temperature with height. Feeling closer to -10C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Around 1000m
Planning Outlook
A switch to east-southeasterly winds by Sunday into early next week, some residual rain and high-level snow, but a drier and colder theme develops into the Christmas period and perhaps into the New Year, as high pressure builds to the north and northeast. An extensive cloud sheet will likely come in from the North Sea over many days with light snow showers or flurries likely, rain to lower slopes, but many areas dry. Best breaks in the west.