Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Monday's Forecast
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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
Monday 1st December 2025
Last updated
Sun 30th Nov 25 at
4:24PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Morning rain and snow in Scottish Highlands breaks for several hours then returns from the south later. Rain more persistent over the Southern Uplands with heavy bursts south and a risk of strong winds. Gales and rain widely across England and Wales, increasing risk of flooding in Lakeland and west Wales.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Variable; morning and evening rain/snow and varied cloud
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly overnight gales ease, typically to a southerly 20-25mph during daytime, though some stronger gusts possible. Trending more variable later in the day in direction and speed and perhaps easing into a lull for a few hours.
Effect of the wind on you?
Most likely fairly small much of daytime, but blustery at times over exposed high tops where it will feel chilly, notably early in the day
How Wet?
Morning rain breaks for several dry hours
Overnight hill snow finishing mainly as rain toward higher slopes, primarily south, breaking through morning. Largely dry for several hours, but risk further patchy rain developing south and east with time, turning back to snow on tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, some breaks north
Patchy cloud at various heights from dawn, more extensive in southern areas, but breaks to some higher slopes for a time north of Cairngorms. Lowering widely if rain/snow returns.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sun mostly obscured by high cloud, but may be bright with good visibility in morning, becoming dull overcast skies.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C, then into night dropping to 0C. Feeling like -10C or below if exposed to stronger winds.
Freezing Level
Rising up to dawn, above the summits for a few hours. Tending to drop afternoon to 1000-1200m western areas, some variability; more widely 1000m overnight.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 2nd December 2025
Last updated
Sun 30th Nov 25 at
4:24PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 30-35mph; stronger higher Cairngorms, risk gusts up to 45mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery, affecting comfortable walking; arduous with considerable buffeting in exposure. Notable wind chill.
How Wet?
Largely dry
Some pre-dawn showery rain in the northeast Cairngorms clears to the east. Chance of odd brief showers, with snow above 800m, most likely areas toward Ben Alder.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent south, breaks north
Banks of cloud may linger on southern slopes in Cairngorms NP, to some mid-slopes or lower in morning, but northward from Drumochter bases higher, more often above 900m with breaks above tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% south, to 60% north.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun mostly north of Cairngorms. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or 1C. Wind chill feeling like -7 to -10C.
Freezing Level
900 to 1000m
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 3rd December 2025
Last updated
Sun 30th Nov 25 at
4:24PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 30-40mph; gusty over tops, particularly early, up to 50mph. Easing later into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking most of the day, balance and stability will be affected. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Some snow showers, mostly south/west
Isolated light showers onto south Cairngorms and Drumochter, falling as snow above 800-900m though minimal accumulation. Showers more frequent at times.
Cloud on the hills?
High terrain and southern slopes
Fog covers the high Cairngorms and down the southern slopes, including Monadhliath; lowest bases around Drumochter, down to 700m at times. Mostly just high terrain north of high Cairngorms with many slopes out of fog.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%; 50% northern Monadhliath
Sunshine and air clarity?
Best of sunshine low slopes of northern Cairngorms and Monadhliath, largely overcast elsewhere.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C. Feeling like -13C in direct strongest wind.
Freezing Level
1000m
Planning Outlook
A risk of local flooding remains on Tuesday in Wales and the Lake district following Monday's heavy rain. Areas of low pressure circulating to the west and north will dominate the weather pattern in the week ahead, bringing generally unsettled weather. Temperatures near average - higher mountains near or just below freezing point likely for the remainder of the week. Often showery and cloudy in the west with broader bands of rain regularly passing east. Wind speed likely to vary though often quite strong with risk of gales coming and going. First indications suggest unsettled weather will remain dominant into the weekend.