Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Today'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.
Cold
Air temperatures near or below freezing on high tops; if exposed to brisk winds significant chill factor on high mountains. Carry suitable clothing.
Winter kit required on higher mountains
Snow cover over higher mountain terrain. Safe progress around some tops and ridges will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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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.
Cold
Air temperatures near or below freezing on high tops; if exposed to brisk winds significant chill factor on high mountains. Carry suitable clothing.
Winter kit required on higher mountains
Snow cover over higher mountain terrain. Safe progress around some tops and ridges will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 21st December 2024
Last updated
Fri 20th Dec 24 at
12:04PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widespread storm force upland winds, strongest far north, around an intense low centred north of Scotland. Snow showers very frequent across W and NW Scotland; whilst further south showers, of snow only on higher tops. Overnight rain will clear Wales from the north morning and middle of day.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Storm or locally hurricane force upland wind. Snow showers.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 65 to locally 80mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking difficult where exposed on lower slopes; higher up severe wind chill and any mobility often difficult. You could be repeatedly blown over.
How Wet?
Hail and snow showers
Showers increasingly frequent, although until late in day, substantially dry on summits accessible from Deeside. Hail, and to progressively lower slopes, snow.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive on higher slopes; may clear at times, mainly toward Deeside
Cloud base varying considerably; patches below 700m near precipitation (particularly west of A9), whilst at other times cloud base between 900 and 1200m - may clear for periods Deeside.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine, although sunnier particularly lower slopes Deeside. Varied visibility; appalling in snow to often very good of excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Dropping slowly to around -1C. Will feel as cold as minus 20C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Dropping slowly from 1050m at dawn to near 750m afternoon.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 22nd December 2024
Last updated
Fri 20th Dec 24 at
12:04PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly around 60mph; particularly gusty near precipitation.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking on lower slopes, whilst higher up severe wind chill and any mobility challenging, particularly near precipitation.
How Wet?
Frequent hail and snow
Snow showers, sometimes one after another, with risk of the precipitation more or less constant over a couple of hours, giving whiteout. From Ben Alder to southern Cairngorms NP: fewer showers, some dry periods.
Cloud on the hills?
Very extensive across the mountains; cloud base varying
Near precipitation cloud sometimes below 500m Monadhliath east to Cairngorms and Lochnagar, but breaks to 750m, perhaps 900m. Higher cloud base Ben Alder to southern Cairngorms NP, where mostly 600 to 1000m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sunshine, mainly Ben Alder east to southern Cairngorms NP. Very varied visibility, appalling or near zero in snow/blowing snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C, may rise marginally through the day. Will feel as cold as minus 19C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
600m
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 23rd December 2024
Last updated
Fri 20th Dec 24 at
12:04PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West later southwesterly; a lull to around 20mph, perhaps strengthening toward 30mph afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small; but anticipate a change to considerable wind chill and more strenuous walking.
How Wet?
Risk rain later in day
The odd snow shower morning. Rain, or temporarily snow or refrozen rain above 700m, spreading east afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Confined to higher tops; highest cloud base south of Cairngorms
Moderate confidence of cloud lifting off summits below 900 to 1100m for a few hours, particularly west of A9 and southern summits in Cairngorms NP. But risk deterioration as cloud fills in above 600-800m before dusk.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine as cloud thickens from west. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C rising to 0 to 2C toward or after dusk. Will feel as cold as minus 7C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
700m, transitioning to above the summits, initially near the west coast, afternoon onwards.
Planning Outlook
A change in the weather pattern from Tuesday as high pressure progressively envelops Wales and England. Here, as in S Scotland, extensively dry and much less windy. Mild - although frost in valleys some nights. Still windy Scottish Highlands, here very mild with lying snow substantially melting. Rain frequent NW Highlands, and less so W Highlands. Further east little or no rain.