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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Snowdrifts
Considerable lying snow over the mountains, with substantial drifting in places.
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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Snowdrifts
Considerable lying snow over the mountains, with substantial drifting in places.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 31st January 2026
Last updated
Fri 30th Jan 26 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Winter conditions on most high mountains; deep snow and large drifts in central/east Scotland, whiteout conditions in fog. Mostly dry NW Scotland. Morning rain in south Scotland and England trends patchy, often dry south Pennines. Often raining in Wales, most on western slopes. Freezing levels rise towards upper slopes.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Winter conditions on high terrain; blustery, tending to ease
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 30-40mph, some stronger gusts over the eastern high tops reaching 50mph. An easing trend with time, towards 25-30mph late in the day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking strenuous-to-arduous in exposure, considerable buffeting challenging stability and significant wind chill. Effects tending to ease, but walking remains impeded.
How Wet?
Snow flurries east and south Cairngorms
Snow flurries affecting the east and southern Cairngorm plateau most of the day. Substantial depth of snow with large drifts. A few patches may drift towards the Monadhliath at times, though mostly dry here. Snowfall elevation will rise with time, to upper terrain later.
Cloud on the hills?
High terrain shrouded and often lower
A blanket of cloud shrouds the Cairngorm plateau and hills accessed from the east/Deeside to middle or lower slopes. Bases may reach up towards 900m over Monadhliath at times, though also filling in for periods.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine expected. Often poor visibility east in precipitation and haze, whiteout conditions on high terrain over snow. Locally improving west for periods.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2 or -1C from dawn, most areas rising towards 0C by later in the day. Feeling like -12 to -15C in direct wind, though lowering with time.
Freezing Level
500-700m, the lowest levels on eastern mountains. Rising to around 800-900m, locally higher on southernmost slopes, variability around this height overnight.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 1st February 2026
Last updated
Fri 30th Jan 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 30-40mph, gusty with strongest winds east and north. Easing with time, 15-20mph
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking strenuous-to-arduous in exposure with buffeting and significant wind chill, effects gradually easing.
How Wet?
Patchy snow south and east, rain lower
Patches of snow affecting Cairngorms accessed from Deeside and easternmost hills, falling as rain below about 700m. Odd patches will reach Drumochter and Monadhliath, though largely dry here.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Cloud shrouds the Cairngorm plateau all day, slopes accessed by Deeside often shrouded to middle slopes as well. Higher bases and more variable Strathspey and west, may rise towards summits at times.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine. Very poor visibility in snow, whiteout conditions on high terrain; better towards the west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C. Feeling like -10 to -15C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Around 800-900m, though some variability, generally higher on Monadhliath. May lower late in the day.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 2nd February 2026
Last updated
Fri 30th Jan 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 30-40mph, lighter in the early day. Gusty, tops speeds to 50-55mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking impeded from dawn, deteriorating to arduous walking with considerable buffeting and significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow south and east Cairngorms
Showery snow affecting the south and east Cairngorm plateau much of the day, falling as rain below 500-600m. Patches will reach Drumochter at times, driest towards Inverness.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive south and east
Fog over the Cairngorm plateau most high terrain south and east of high summits, lowering to middle slopes during snow. Bases reaching towards 700m around Drumochter sometimes too. Clearest towards Inverness.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some sunny moments in the Monadhliath where visibility good. Otherwise cloudy, whiteout conditions at times in fog over snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 to -3C. Feeling like -12 to -15C in the wind.
Freezing Level
500-600m, may lower with time
Planning Outlook
Unsettled weather persists through the late weekend and into next week: a southerly flow is dominant through Monday, lifting freezing levels and brining precipitation to most mountain groups through the early week. The Munros will likely stay below freezing; precipitation will continue to fall as snow on high terrain: snowdrifts from the Cairngorms to central and southern Highlands with a continued risk of flooding here. Gales are likely as well. Southeasterly winds will tend to re-establish later in the week, lowering freezing levels and drawing cloud and precipitation into the Pennines and eastern Scotland, the snow level dropping to middle elevations with time. Cloud and precipitation more patchy in the west with the brightest skies northwest of high summits.