Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Friday's Forecast
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Heavy snow and hail showers, isolated lightning
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail often falling to lower slopes. Risk of very localised thunder and lightning.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Heavy snow and hail showers, isolated lightning
Showery precipitation, often heavy, may merge to become constant for periods. A mix of snow and hail often falling to lower slopes. Risk of very localised thunder and lightning.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 13th March 2026
Last updated
Thu 12th Mar 26 at
1:05PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Cold widely gale force upland winds around a deep low north of Scotland, will bring a succession of snow and hail showers to the mountains. Cloud will extensively cover the mountains (the highest cloud base well inland afternoon). Much higher terrain will be below freezing point.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Upland gales; hail and snow showers. Fog higher areas.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly severe gales at dawn; soon between 40 and 50mph; particularly gusty near precipitation.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging walking over the mountains, balance and sometimes general mobility a struggle. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Hail and snow showers
Showers with hail; most frequent near and west of the A9 - snow above 300, later 450m. Showers may cluster together for an hour or more giving temporary whiteout (least likely Deeside).
Cloud on the hills?
Very extensive on higher areas; cloud base varying
Cloud base changing quickly: near precipitation shafts of cloud to 600m or occasionally lower. Otherwise, cloud base typically 750 to 1050m - generally highest base toward Deeside.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sun west, or more frequent bright sun toward Deeside. Visibility often excellent eastern areas, but most often west A9, at times very poor in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C; later -1C. Will feel as cold as minus 16C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
500 rising to 750m.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 14th March 2026
Last updated
Thu 12th Mar 26 at
1:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West or southwesterly, in the range 35 to perhaps for a few hours after dawn 50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous or on higher tops perhaps difficult walking. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Hail and snow showers
Hail and snow showers, although often dry toward Deeside.
Cloud on the hills?
Almost constantly covering higher mountains
Varied cloud base: sometimes below 600m near precipitation but periods when most cloud above 900 to 1100m. Highest cloud bases will be on N Cairngorms and Deeside.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun, perhaps patchwork of sun Deeside. Mostly very good visibility although slight haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C. Will feel as cold as minus 14C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
600m
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 15th March 2026
Last updated
Thu 12th Mar 26 at
1:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly typically between 35 and 45mph. Risk strengthening further later afternoon onwards.
Effect of the wind on you?
Continued difficult walking and wind chill significant on exposed higher areas. Expect balance, and in places general mobility to be difficult.
How Wet?
Frequent snow and hail
Overnight general rain, finishing as snow above about 600m, will after dawn clear within a few hours. Then, often dry, particularly toward Deeside, but hail and snow showers will gradually extend eastwards.
Cloud on the hills?
Very extensive morning; cloud base then rising
Areas of very low cloud will break as precipitation clears. Then varying cloud base between occasionally 600m near precipitation and otherwise 900m (west of A9) to 1100m Cairngorm plateau and 1200m Deeside.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patches of sun developing, mainly toward Deeside. Varied visibility; very poor in precipitation but otherwise very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Soon -2C. Will feel as cold as minus 15C where exposed to the wind.
Freezing Level
Soon between 400 and 600m.
Planning Outlook
Further bouts of upland gales over the next few days. Precipitation on most mountains daily, focussed on western hills. Freeze thaw cycles will occur: on the Scottish Highlands, thaw periods fairly brief and snow accumulating on many slopes. Further south, lying snow more intermittent as periods of thaw will be lengthier. Temperature levels will rise from about next Tuesday and as pressure then builds, most or all mountain areas will then become largely fine.