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.
Dry, Inversion
Banks of cloud or fog on lower or middle slopes, but higher terrain likely clear and sunny above an inversion.
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.
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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.
Dry, Inversion
Banks of cloud or fog on lower or middle slopes, but higher terrain likely clear and sunny above an inversion.
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.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 27th December 2025
Last updated
Fri 26th Dec 25 at
4:22PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Chilly easterly winds, strongest and gustiest Wales, with extensive cloud sheet eastern and into central areas, with some patchy light precipitation. Sun best western hills, and also where tops breaks above an inversion around 1000m. Terrain partly frozen, morning frost valleys; but up to plus 5C western tops above inversion.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Chilly east wind. Cloud banks between 500-1000m, tops above into sun.
How windy? (On the Munros)
East to northeasterly 20 to 25mph, stronger gusts around some slopes risk over 30mph, not just highest tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery in places, more noticeable locally and giving a distinct chill.
How Wet?
Rare light precipitation
Largely dry; a few brief spots of light rain, or snow grains on some slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive morning, then breaking, tops above cloud.
Cloud banks between 500 and 1000m, most persistent in morning, may tend to break up; higher tops generally above cloud above around 1000m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%, highest tops 80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mix of cloud and sun, but high tops may be generally sunny. Visibility excellent out of cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 to 2C, coolest north; slightly warmer on highest tops above an inversion; around 1000m. Feeling like -7 to -10C in stronger wind.
Freezing Level
Varied partly frozen terrain, including frost into the glens, but above freezing some mid-slopes and on highest tops.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 28th December 2025
Last updated
Fri 26th Dec 25 at
4:22PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North to northeasterly or variable, 10mph or less.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small
How Wet?
Dry all day
Cloud on the hills?
None expected
Fog patches some glens, perhaps an odd pocket of mist in some corries. Otherwise the mountains clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Above 90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Widely sunny. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C, inversion conditions - hills warmer than lower slopes all day - up to 5C highest summits.
Freezing Level
Frost in glens and lower slopes, also in some upland hollows and corries, all day out of sunlight; above freezing on tops.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 29th December 2025
Last updated
Fri 26th Dec 25 at
4:22PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northeast 15 to 25mph, may be calm over tops early in day above inversion, before wind picks up as inversion breaks down.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, but considerable wind chill where exposed to the wind.
How Wet?
A little patchy precipitation from cloud
Mostly dry, but scope for a little patchy spots of light rain or snow grains from the banks of low cloud.
Cloud on the hills?
Cloud banks, tops initially clear above.
Cloud banks from 500-1000m, highest tops may be clear for a time, before banks lift onto all higher terrain above 700m. Best breaks and patchier cloud in west.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly dull, clearer with sunshine in southwest, and perhaps tops for a time. Visibility mostly very good, away from any precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 0C
Freezing Level
Morning frost in glens/corries and initially tops above inversion, plus 2C, but turning colder on tops as freezing level stabilises around 700-900m during afternoon.
Planning Outlook
Next week, high pressure still dominates, but generally colder air becoming entrained into its circulation from the north, which sees lower temperatures on high terrain, sub-zero over most mountains through New Year. Small amounts of precipitation, occasional showers or snow flurries, winds north or northwesterly.