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
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Winter sunshine
Bright sunshine most of the day with the mountains generally free of cloud. Snow cover on higher terrain.
Clear over snow cover
Excellent or superb visibility, but be aware that paths over the mountains may be obscured by lying snow.
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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Winter sunshine
Bright sunshine most of the day with the mountains generally free of cloud. Snow cover on higher terrain.
Clear over snow cover
Excellent or superb visibility, but be aware that paths over the mountains may be obscured by lying snow.
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
Saturday 14th February 2026
Last updated
Fri 13th Feb 26 at
4:48PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A transient ridge of high pressure will bring a cold but mostly sunny day although a few snow flurries on some western hills. Nearly all terrain frozen. Toward dusk, initially near the west coast the wind will increase quickly - ahead of severe upland gales and snow overnight.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Terrain frozen. Light wind; extensive sun.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 10 or 15mph at dawn. Will drop through morning to or perhaps below 10mph in a prolonged lull. Southerly wind strengthening again toward dusk.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small or negligible but very difficult conditions quickly developing after dark.
How Wet?
Precipitation not expected
Cloud on the hills?
Little if any
Most hills free of cloud. Here and there, cloud persisting higher slopes and corries.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensive bright sunshine before high level cloud spreads eastward afternoon. Excellent or superb visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4C.
Freezing Level
Terrain frozen from valleys up. Through day freezing level becoming 300 to 600m, highest sunlit slopes.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 15th February 2026
Last updated
Fri 13th Feb 26 at
4:48PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Mostly westerly 35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill and widely arduous walking on higher areas.
How Wet?
Occasional hail and snow showers
Overnight snow clearing at dawn. In afternoon, a few hail and snow showers - most frequent west of A9.
Cloud on the hills?
Almost persistently covering higher mountains; varied cloud base.
Sometimes breaking to near or above 1000m at least fleetingly, but overall extensive cloud above 750m, and sometimes forming below 600m near. precipitation.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of bright sunshine by mid to late morning; most sun eastern Cairngorms NP. Sometimes excellent visibility, but abruptly appalling in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3 rising to -1C. Will feel as close to minus 14C where exposed to the wind in morning.
Freezing Level
Nearly all terrain frozen, albeit freezing level rising from 300m or lower at dawn erratically toward 600 to 800m.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 16th February 2026
Last updated
Fri 13th Feb 26 at
4:48PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwest veering northerly 30 to 40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Considerable wind chill and walking arduous - or particularly near precipitation sometimes difficult.
How Wet?
Frequent snow showers
Confidence low: Snow and hail showers, sometimes one after another, giving whiteout and risk of the precipitation almost constant for a few hours. It may be extensively dry east from Ben Alder to and east of Drumochter.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive; highest cloud base toward south
Cloud base varying, sometimes quickly, between 450m near precipitation and otherwise 700 to 900m. Toward Ben Alder to and east of Drumochter, cloud rarely below 600m and breaks toward 1000m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sunshine mainly Ben Alder to and east of Drumochter. Very varied visibility; intermittently appalling or near zero in snow, but otherwise excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4C to -6C. Will feel around minus 15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
700m, dropping toward 450m. Some valleys frozen after a frost.
Planning Outlook
Persistent cold most mountain areas, particularly across Scotland next week. Further snow from time to time. England and particularly Wales will have intermittently higher freezing levels resulting in freeze-thaw cycles.