Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Saturday'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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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
Saturday 22nd November 2025
Last updated
Fri 21st Nov 25 at
2:52PM
Summary for all mountain areas
As less cold air penetrates the UK, only higher summits in Scotland will remain below freezing point. Nevertheless, much mountains terrain will remain frozen and icy. Rain and strong winds overnight will have eased to in Scotland and through the morning will clear Wales and N England.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
A few showers; mountains extensively foggy. Terrain mostly frozen.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 20 to 25mph. Will tend to ease through the afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly fairly small, although particularly in the morning still considerable wind chill where exposed.
How Wet?
Risk of a few showers; fresh snow confined above 800m
A few showers west of A9 - very few and brief eastward toward Deeside.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive - although some higher slopes may gradually clear
Very varied; overall most mountains cloud covered, in some areas from valleys up. Nevertheless, particularly afternoon, breaks to higher slopes - sometimes above fog lower down.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patches of sun coming through in places above fog, most widely eastern Cairngorms NP. Visibility varied, areas of fog (sometimes in or just above valleys), but otherwise very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C. Feeling like -7C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
1000m; but much terrain from valleys up frozen.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 23rd November 2025
Last updated
Fri 21st Nov 25 at
2:52PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly, speeds at present uncertain, but probably in the range 20 to 35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Expect blustery conditions, perhaps considerable buffeting and wind chill over some mountains.
How Wet?
Rain or hill snow on and off
Precipitation intermittently, most likely focussed on eastern hills in Cairngorms NP. Snow above 700-900m.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive across the mountains
Persistent fog most mountains, widely above 500 to 700m - perhaps reaching 900m near Cairngorm ski centre and west of the A9.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Cloudy or dull; general visibility very good, but widely foggy on the hills.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 0C. Will feel as cold as minus 10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
800 to 1050m; some lower areas may still be partly frozen.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 24th November 2025
Last updated
Fri 21st Nov 25 at
2:52PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly, between 20 and 30mph - may reach 35mph Cairngorms east to Lochnagar.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking often arduous, particularly near precipitation, where in gusty conditions, balance tricky.
How Wet?
Frequent snow and hail showers
Frequent hail or snow showers above 400m, particularly Cairngorms and Deeside, where precipitation at times constant. Fewest showers (generally flurries) southern summits in Cairngorms NP east to Ben Alder.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensively covering higher areas; highest cloud base toward south
Cairngorms east to Lochnagar: cloud base varying as showers coming and going: typically 600m, but shafts of cloud below 400m near precipitation. Higher cloud base southern summits in Cairngorms NP east to Ben Alder, here breaks to 900m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine, mainly or only southern summits in Cairngorms NP east to Ben Alder. Very poor or appalling visibility in snow, but otherwise, very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C Will feel as cold as minus 11C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
700m.
Planning Outlook
Another brief burst of cold air on Monday and Tuesday will bring further snow to northern Scotland. By Wednesday, milder air together with rain and strong wind will be extending across Britain. Rain and strong wind will be frequent, particularly on western mountains for the remainder of the week. In Scotland temperatures on the Munros will sometimes be below freezing point, but fresh snow probably transient, whereas elsewhere, snow rare if any.