Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Monday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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.
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
Monday 8th December 2025
Last updated
Sun 7th Dec 25 at
4:24PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Southwesterly winds often gale force over most higher terrain of Britain, less strong toward the north of the Highlands. Close to freezing only on higher Scottish tops. Rain frequent over western Scotland, some patchy rain passing eastwards. Showery rain common on some western hills in England and Wales.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Windy, up to gale force on tops. Some rain/snow tops, showers.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, 25 to 35mph; speed likely to fluctuate, at times 40mph over high tops, peak speeds more sustained in the afternoon hours.
Effect of the wind on you?
Often strenuous walking in exposure, making balance difficult on high tops and ridges. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery rain, snow high tops for a time
In the morning, a few hours of frequent rain, with sleet or snow on higher Cairngorms, tending to break into showers, these becoming more focused around Drumochter area, more often dry in north and east afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly high terrain south and west
Banks of cloud most common toward southwest Cairngorms, mostly above 900m. More patchy and near the tops of easternmost Cairngorms.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% west to 50% east
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mostly north/east of Cairngorms, though mostly cloudy for periods. Visibility often very good, reducing in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C. If exposed to stronger winds, feeling like -10C on high tops.
Freezing Level
1200 to 1300m, rising above the summits onward into night.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 9th December 2025
Last updated
Sun 7th Dec 25 at
4:24PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 25-40mph from dawn, rapidly rising to a gusty 50-65mph; later SW'ly, rising to 75mph over tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions soon set in - mobility tortuous, risk severe conditions into night. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Persistent rain soon sets in, flood risk
Patchy rain arrives from the southwest before dawn, soon spreading widely with heavy bursts well into the day. A breaking trend later though may remain frequent south. Beware fast-rising streams and flood risk.
Cloud on the hills?
Soon extensive
Fog over the high Cairngorm plateau and down to middle southern slopes soon fills in widely across middle slopes, down to low slopes in the south. Highest bases northwest Cairngorms and north Monadhliath, 500-600m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Soon widely overcast and dull. Poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 or 4C, rising to 7 or 8C for several hours, sharply cooling later. Feeling like -8 to -10C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 10th December 2025
Last updated
Sun 7th Dec 25 at
4:24PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 50 to 70mph, risk at times 80mph higher tops mainly Cairngorm plateau, with stronger gusts.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult walking conditions from mid elevations upward, severe over higher mountains; significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers mostly west, snow tops
Showery precipitation most common toward Drumochter and Ben Alder, falling as snow above 1000m, possible hail.
Cloud on the hills?
Frequently on tops
Cloud base constantly changing, but often capping higher slopes, particularly toward western Cairngorms and west of A9.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun mostly north and east. Slight haze, visibility reduced further around showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C. Wind chill feeling near to -15C.
Freezing Level
1100 to 1200m
Planning Outlook
A very unsettled spell through the next 10 days as southwesterly winds prevail and low pressure systems move in from the Atlantic. Stormy conditions widely over the mountains on Tuesday, gales remaining severe on high terrain into Wednesday, then potentially intensifying again on Thursday. Temperatures only close to freezing on higher Scottish tops this week, even here will experience spells above freezing with thawing, leaving snow increasingly patchy, but beware some icy surfaces on the very highest tops where some refreezing occurs. Rainfall will be frequent and heavy, sometimes showery with hail. Expect wet ground conditions and further flooding of streams and some rivers.