Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Saturday'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+
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.
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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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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.
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
Saturday 13th December 2025
Last updated
Fri 12th Dec 25 at
4:13PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Increasingly severe conditions Scottish Highlands: gusty storm-force winds on high terrain and becoming wet from the west. Gales in England and Wales, severe from Snowdonia towards Lakeland/north Pennines; drizzly rain on western slopes, patches drifting east. Driest south Pennines.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Deteriorating to severe conditions; wet afternoon
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40-50mph, strongest north, soon strengthening, reaching 65-80mph afternoon, stronger gusts over high Cairngorm summits reaching 90mph+ for a period.
Effect of the wind on you?
Conditions soon challenging from mid-elevations upward, increasingly any mobility difficult and turning severe afternoon with violent gusts over Cairngorms. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Afternoon rain developing, heavier later west
Some spotty rain west in the wind early (snow flurries on high tops), dry east. Afternoon rain setting in persistently western areas, spreading east but with occasional breaks on north Cairngorm slopes. Heavy falls possible Drumochter/Monadhliath.
Cloud on the hills?
Increasingly extensive, lowering; highest bases northeast slopes
Varied banks of cloud mostly on high west terrain in the morning, more patchy or often clear further east and north. With time, tending to fill in across all high terrain, lowering to mid-slopes south/west.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% lowering to 20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Early patchy sunshine, best in the north but soon weakening as high cloud builds, turning overcast. Visibility very good in the morning though some haze around, deteriorating from the west as rain arrives.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C much of morning, then rising steadily to later reach 5C by dusk, little change with added height; rising another two degrees into nighttime. Wind chill feeling like -12 to -15C later in the day.
Freezing Level
1000 to 1100m up to dawn, gradually rising, above all summits with time; possible slight frost some glens at first.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 14th December 2025
Last updated
Fri 12th Dec 25 at
4:13PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
A gusty southwesterly, sustained winds between 40-55mph, perhaps a brief lighter period early. Risk 65mph gusts over tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strong gusty winds will challenge balance and stability all day, including less exposed slopes. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Intermittent rain, may set in
Several periods of rain from the southwest, most frequent Drumochter/south Monadhliath; heavy falls. Patches spreading more widely with a risk of setting in for periods.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly south/west slopes
Banks of cloud often covering the tops near Drumochter and Monadhliath, often drifting further east across southern Cairngorms and over the tops. Variable bases, 600-900m. Northern aspects often clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10% south/west, 30% north/east
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of weak sun on north slopes. Visibility variable, poor at times central highlands, very good north.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 to 8C; variable, increasingly so after nightfall with lower temperatures. Feeling like -5 to -8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 15th December 2025
Last updated
Fri 12th Dec 25 at
4:13PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Uncertain detail: west-southwesterly 15-25mph, though variable and perhaps lighter; risk much stronger early.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, though winds may be suddenly uncomfortable in exposure, risk more notable effects early.
How Wet?
Likely dry
Small chance of some patchy rain reaching southernmost slopes though likely dry.
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. A risk filling in more widely east Cairngorms/Deeside.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little sun expected. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C, though may vary; a degree warmer eastern areas. Feeling like -5C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits overnight, lowering to 1100m at or before dawn.
Planning Outlook
A brief spell of drier-brighter weather on Tuesday, but otherwise staying unsettled into next week as southwesterly winds prevail and low pressure systems pass to the northwest of Scotland; sustained gales over the mountains, severe or stormy for periods. Bands of rain will regularly pass eastward across most areas, showery in the west between wetter spells with hail at times. Expect very wet ground conditions and further flooding of streams and some rivers. Mild for the time of year, temperatures only just below freezing intermittently on higher Scottish tops, even here will experience spells above freezing with thawing, any lying snow patchy, but beware some icy surfaces on the very highest tops where some refreezing occurs. Detail becomes very uncertain after next weekend though temperatures likely to drop.