Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Wednesday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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
Wednesday 3rd December 2025
Last updated
Tue 2nd Dec 25 at
4:10PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widely breezy, strongest northern England and Scotland, early gales over high Munros; easing but staying blustery northwest Scotland. Showery rain onto west coast slopes down to Wales (snow on high terrain) most of the day, some reaching further east afternoon. Greatest chance of dry weather south Pennines.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Blustery, gales over tops early; scattered showery rain/snow
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 30-35mph; gusty over tops before noon up to 45mph. Easing slightly for a few hours from dusk though deteriorating in the later overnight hours.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking most of the day in exposure; buffeting gusts will challenge balance on high tops through morning. Significant wind chill and deteriorating overnight.
How Wet?
Some snow showers, mostly south/west
Scattered light showers onto high and southern Cairngorms and Drumochter, falling as snow flurries above 700-800m though minimal accumulation. Showers more frequent for a time afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly high tops and southern slopes
Fog covers the high summits and upper southern slopes, including Monadhliath; lowest bases around Drumochter, down to 600m (or lower afternoon). Mostly just high terrain north of high tops with many slopes out of fog.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% to 50% northern Monadhliath
Sunshine and air clarity?
Best of sunshine low slopes of northern Cairngorms and Monadhliath, largely overcast elsewhere. Excellent visibility though turning very poor in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or 1C. Feeling like -13C in direct strongest wind.
Freezing Level
900-1000m
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 4th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 2nd Dec 25 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 30-35mph, typically strongest east and early, 40mph. May ease central highlands later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking in exposure through morning, perhaps most of the day east; an easing trend west. Feeling chilly.
How Wet?
Patchy rain/snow south and east
Patchy rain/upland snow drifts onto southern Cairngorms and around Ben Alder; more frequent Deeside, may set in for periods. Largely dry northern slopes of Cairngorms and Monadhliath.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly tops and south aspects, lowest east
High Cairngorms largely shrouded with banks down southern slopes, lowest Deeside where bases will reach 600-700m, lower in precipitation; some variability. Patchy but broken cloud will drift around northern slopes, best clear periods northern Monadhliath.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%; 60% north Monadhliath
Sunshine and air clarity?
A few sunny breaks northernmost slopes, little sun elsewhere. Very good visibility, some haze Deeside.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or 1C with some variability, typically coolest central highlands. Feeling like -10C or cooler in direct wind.
Freezing Level
900-1100m, lowest near Ben Alder; may vary.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 5th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 2nd Dec 25 at
4:10PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, shifting southeasterly, 30-35mph. Rising to 45-55mph afternoon, further deteriorating into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Comfortable walking affected from dawn, deteriorating to difficult conditions into and overnight. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Patchy sleet/snow south and east
A few patches of sleet/snow, mostly south Cairngorm slopes and Deeside. Rain (snow on high terrain) sets in widely after dark.
Cloud on the hills?
South and east slopes often shrouded
Fairly persistent banks of cloud from Deeside to Drumochter and south Monadhliath, bases between 500-700m. Northern slopes often clear though a few patches will drift onto eastern areas.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% high tops and south, 60% northern hills
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some morning sun in the north, becoming widely overcast. Very good visibility out of cloud, particularly north.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C; will rise a few degrees in the late overnight hours. Feeling like -15C in wind.
Freezing Level
Poorly defined, 600-800m though frosts at lower elevations, including in glens. Rising overnight.
Planning Outlook
Low pressure circulating to the west and north will dominate the weather for the next 7 to 10 days, bringing generally unsettled weather. A brief period of slack pressure on Thursday into Friday will ease winds for a time though patchy rain will linger in several areas. Strong southwesterly winds return over the weekend bringing cloud and rain to many mountains, most persistent on southwestern slopes. Temperatures and freezing level will vary, but staying chilly with highest terrain likely near or below 0C. Several low pressure systems with then pass through next week, brining frequent periods of cloud, rain, and strong wind, likely gale force on high terrain at times. Occasional windows of dry, brighter weather will occur, best chance east.