Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 4th December 2020
Last updated
Thursday 3rd December 2020 at
4:25 PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Areas of snowfall will pivot in from the east to affect many areas of Scotland and Northern England through the day. Accompanied by upland gales giving severe wind chill for periods, but a substantial lull is likely S Pennines. Across Wales, snow showers later give way to persistent snow.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Upland gales, severe wind chill and snow; periods of whiteout higher slopes.
How windy? (On the Munros)
North or northeasterly, speeds may vary, but for periods risk 40-50mph high tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Prepare for difficult conditions and severe wind chill on the mountains.
How Wet?
Heavy snow
Persistent snow coming in from the east likely to set in extensively and heavily for periods across the mountains. Turning to sleet or rain on lower slopes with time. Prolonged whiteout on higher terrain.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Blanket cloud likely to cover the mountains, particularly where snow sets in. Risk forming to lower slopes eastern Cairngorms NP.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sun unlikely. Visibility likely widely very poor, appalling conditions in snow and cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4C, rising to -2C, in places 0C. Will feel closer to -20C or below in exposure to the strongest winds.
Freezing Level
Varied. Terrain frozen from most glens up in morning, and locally may stay near zero. Tending to rise to 800-1000m.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 5th December 2020
Last updated
Thursday 3rd December 2020 at
4:25 PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly, 25 to 40mph, perhaps 50mph for a time.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking conditions often arduous, perhaps difficult in places. Severe wind chill at times on higher terrain.
How Wet?
Snow focused north
Risk of snow coming in from the northeast, setting in periodically on the northern Cairngorms and Monadhliath. Elsewhere, patchier snow, often only flurries, and several hours staying dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly persistent north Cairngorms
Covering the northern Cairngorms most or all day above 800-1000m, sometimes lower if snow sets in. Elsewhere, cloud often covering high tops, at times only fragments, and some breaks.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun. Visibility at times very good, but reduced around precipitation, toward northern Cairngorms risk often poor.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C
Freezing Level
Around 700m, but also sub-zero some sheltered glens after dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 6th December 2020
Last updated
Thursday 3rd December 2020 at
4:25 PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Low confidence in detail: Northeasterly 20 to 30mph, may be significant lull later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Will impede walking at times across higher areas with significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Periods of snow, may set in.
Periods of snow through the day, at times heavy and may set in for several hours to give whiteout conditions across higher areas.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Cloud covering the hills extensively through the day. Widely to lower slopes in snow.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast. Visibility often poor or very poor with periods of whiteout possible higher slopes.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C
Freezing Level
600-700m, but also sub-zero some sheltered glens after dawn.
Planning Outlook
Cold weather patterns are likely to prevail well into December. A period of constant freeze, at least on the Scottish Munros, but often near or below zero on many lower summits across Britain. Upland terrain becoming extensively snow covered as bands of precipitation circulate slowly around low pressure - substantial snowfalls likely across many uplands, and snow may well lie for periods to lower slopes. Wind speed and direction will vary considerably, occasionally gale force. An east or northeasterly common across northern Britain.