Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Sunday'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.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
Hazy, some fog banks
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Visibility reduced around cloud banks, hazier on some lower slopes. Locally some improvements possible out of cloud.
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.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
Hazy, some fog banks
Visibility reduced around cloud banks, hazier on some lower slopes. Locally some improvements possible out of cloud.
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
Sunday 15th March 2026
Last updated
Sat 14th Mar 26 at
12:29PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widespread rain - snow higher areas Scotland and finishing as snow higher summits elsewhere, will from the west clear (as temperatures drop) to squally hail and snow showers. Upland winds will be close to gale force, and although improving, still extensive low cloud.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Upland gales; snow intermittently; risk- whiteout.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 40mph; very gusty near precipitation. Post dawn for a few hours temporarily 60mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous or particularly at first difficult walking and significant wind chill where exposed.
How Wet?
Snow and hail showers, least frequent toward Deeside
After dawn; rain, or above 900m snow, on and off, very little eastern Cairngorms NP, will ease later morning. Then, often dry, particularly toward Deeside, but sudden hail and snow showers will gradually extend east. Risk whiteout.
Cloud on the hills?
Very extensive morning; cloud base then rising; highest toward Deeside
Areas of very low cloud until mid or late morning, particularly Ben Alder to summits east of Drumochter. 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 late morning, mainly toward Deeside. Varied visibility; very poor in precipitation but otherwise very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C, but near zero some areas for a few hours dawn until mid morning. Will feel as cold as minus 15C where exposed to the wind.
Freezing Level
Between 400 and 600m but temporarily up to 1100m Cairngorms and Deeside for a few hours from dawn..
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 16th March 2026
Last updated
Sat 14th Mar 26 at
12:29PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West backing southwesterly; 50 to 65mph most of morning. Then gradually easing to around 40mph in a slight lull.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe wind chill and difficult walking. Any mobility may well be a struggle at least in the morning - especially near precipitation.
How Wet?
Hail and snow showers
Showers; sometimes frequent, particularly west of A9 morning. Expect hail and above 300, later 600m snow - may give whiteout. Precipitation may become more widespread toward dusk.
Cloud on the hills?
Very extensive on higher summits; cloud base highest toward the east
Cloud base will vary: near precipitation forming at around 600, occasionally below 450m west of A9. Otherwise, cloud base 750-900m morning, and 900 to 1100m into the afternoon. Highest cloud base will be across Deeside.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun, most sun toward Deeside. Slight haze; very poor visibility in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C, rising toward 0C. Will feel as cold as minus 18C due to wind chill.
Freezing Level
600m, rising toward 900m.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 17th March 2026
Last updated
Sat 14th Mar 26 at
12:29PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 50 to sometimes 70mph. Very gusty; powerful gusts some lower slopes.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill and in severe gales, mobility widely difficult. Balance a struggle; you could be blown over, in places on lower slopes.
How Wet?
Drizzly rain - very little N Cairngorms
Ben Alder to summits east of Drumochter: Frequent or in places incessant drizzle. Elsewhere: Frequently dry, (particularly Deeside and near Cairngorm ski-centre) or just a little drizzle in wind.
Cloud on the hills?
Blanket of fog - highest base N Cairngorms and Deeside
Persistent fog, in rain, patches from lower slopes up, but generally cloud base 400 to 600m. But north into Deeside and toward Glen More cloud breaking to around 1000m, and to 750-900m north across Monadhliath.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil, but 30% northernmost hills
Sunshine and air clarity?
Dull and murky, although pockets of sun and very good visibility northern Monadhliath east to near Cairngorm ski-centre and Deeside.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
An abrupt transition will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. Areas of low cloud, drizzly rain and strong winds will continue to affect mainly western mountains until Wednesday. But then as pressure builds north of Britain it will become extensively fine; cloud often clearing, particularly western Britain, and temperature levels more varied - fairly warm some afternoons but frost widely at night.