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
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
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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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
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 11th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 10th Jan 26 at
12:34PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widely very difficult mountain conditions in severe or storm force upland winds. From west, rapid snow melt commencing and extensive fog - giving whiteout in some areas. Underfoot areas of ice, in some areas on lower slopes.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Storm force wind; snow turning to rain. Snow pack starting to melt.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, 60mph, sometimes 80mph high tops. Powerful gusts.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions over the mountains; mobility widely challenging. Sometimes difficult to stand, in places sudden ferocious gusts reaching lower slopes, Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow turning to rain
Snow starts overnight, heavy for a few hours through into morning, particularly southern Cairngorms NP. Through the day, progressively turning to rain - locally with the temperature still below freezing point. Total precipitation small northernmost Cairngorms and Deeside.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistent fog on almost all summits
Incessant fog higher terrain all day, lowest bases southern Cairngorms NP where 450 to 600m. Highest base northernmost hills and Deeside where breaks to 900 or 1000m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare if any glimpses of sun. Hazy but visibility appalling or near zero at times in cloud above snow cover.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C rising to 0 to +3C, small variation of temperature with height. Will feel as cold as minus 15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Gradually lifting above the summits, but almost all terrain frozen and widely icy.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 12th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 10th Jan 26 at
12:34PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 50 to 65mph Cairngorms.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking widely challenging, frequent buffeting even lower elevationsl. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain, snow high tops, mostly southwest
Frequent to near-constant precipitation from Ben Alder to areas accessed from Glen Garry, smaller amounts northeastwards. Falling as snow above around 900-1000m. Very wet underfoot where snow melts.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive higher areas
Covering higher terrain most or all day, lowest base 700-900m southern Cairngorms NP, mostly above 900-1000m in northern areas, some higher breaks.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mostly north of the Cairngorms. Slight haze; visibility poor in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C. Wind chill feeling around -15C where directly exposed on tops.
Freezing Level
1100m.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 13th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 10th Jan 26 at
12:34PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Low confidence in forecast: There may well be a lull to low speeds, but risk of westerly 25mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Probably small.
How Wet?
Little or perhaps no precipitation
It may well be dry most or all day - but threat of showers (snow higher slopes) reaching particularly areas west of A9 and later in day possible general precipitation spreading northwards.
Cloud on the hills?
May become confined to higher slopes, possibly clearing some summits
Patches of fog may have formed both valleys and lower slopes and also higher up. Through day, may clear some higher areas, whilst nearby the fog persists.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patches of sunshine in places. Visibility mostly very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C
Freezing Level
700 to perhaps 900m.
Planning Outlook
High rainfall and intermittently windy across most mountains areas next week as a series of Atlantic lows cross Britain. From Tuesday day to day confidence very low due to uncertainty in timing and tracking of lows. Over England and Wales, temperatures on higher summits will intermittently be below freezing point: snow may accumulate on highest summits. Freeze thaw cycles will occur on the Scottish Highlands, although above 900m periods of thaw may well be brief, with progressive enhancement of the snowpack likely.