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
Saturday 4th December 2021
Last updated
Fri 3rd Dec 21 at
3:55PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Showers running inland from western coasts on strong to gale force W-NW'ly winds, extending into western Peak & Pennines. Local clusters giving frequent hail or hill snow, chance of thunder. Also risk snow for periods N & E Scotland, may move southwards. Much terrain stays frozen above 600-700m, but locally snow to lower elevations.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cold, squally winds. Risk of snow, mostly morning.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly, may change abruptly, often 20-30mph, some squally gusts over 40mph at times, perhaps 50-60mph eastern areas.
Effect of the wind on you?
Beware of changing conditions: may be small at times, but risk of difficult walking and significant wind chill for periods.
How Wet?
Snow for a time
Risk an area of snow for an hour or more in the morning, focused on northern areas. Probably breaking up for a times into middle of day. Snow often falling to slopes, sometimes sleet or rain up to about 400-500m.
Cloud on the hills?
May persist higher tops
Cloud bases varied, often covering higher mountains above 800-1000m, lowering further in constant precipitation. Some breaks toward higher tops, mostly south and east of the Cairngorm plateau.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief glimpses of sun. Visibility very good away from showers, but very poor in cloud and snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C. Wind chill in strongest winds below -15C on highest tops.
Freezing Level
500 to 700m.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 5th December 2021
Last updated
Fri 3rd Dec 21 at
3:55PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 20 to 30mph in morning, risk 40mph around dawn, but speeds likely to lessen, may fall light up to dusk.
Effect of the wind on you?
Prepare for marked wind chill and considerable buffeting early in the day, but conditions gradually easing.
How Wet?
Snow mostly north and east
Snow may affect the northern and eastern parts of the Cairngorms NP for a few hours, mostly flurries, possibly more persistent toward east for a time. Very little toward Ben Alder and Glen Garry.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent north/eastern areas
Varied cloud; around precipitation will be fairly extensive over the hills, lowest northern Cairngorms and around Lecht, in places below 700m. Some breaks to higher levels, best near/west of A9 and south from Dalwhinnie.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Northeastern areas may stay mostly cloudy, occasional sun best further south and west. Visibility very good, but locally poor in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4C.
Freezing Level
Most terrain frozen from lower slopes upward.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 6th December 2021
Last updated
Fri 3rd Dec 21 at
3:55PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South veering westerly, often in the range 30 to 50mph, perhaps a brief lull.
Effect of the wind on you?
Expect frequent buffeting across the hills, sometimes arduous walking conditions with significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow, later showers with hail
A period of snowfall is likely for a few hours, falling to lower slopes, extensive whiteout on hills. Tending to clear from west, later followed by showers with hail.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Shrouding the mountains most or all day, extensively during snow, to lower slopes in places. Bases may slowly rise from the west into the afternoon, then varied in and out of showers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief if any sun. Visibility very poor during precipitation, appalling if in snow and cloud, brief improvements lower terrain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2 to -4C, tending to slightly rise for a time.
Freezing Level
Much terrain frozen following overnight frost. Becoming 300-400m perhaps slightly higher into early afternoon.
Planning Outlook
Most mountain terrain is likely to stay frozen throughout the week ahead. Sometimes freezing conditions to lower slopes, although some day-to-day variations. Wind speed and direction will vary considerably, intermittent lulls, but then a deep low is expected to affect Britain by Tuesday-Wednesday, bringing stormy conditions, perhaps widely. Further lows are likely to follow later in the week. Extensive snowfalls possible on the hills, a mix of snow and rain lower down. Don't miss our latest video content on the MWIS YouTube channel and across our social media feeds.