Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Today's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow
Snowfall continuous or frequent, beware of conditions becoming challenging.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards such as cornices.
Cold
Air temperature below freezing all day on the mountains. Severe 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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Snow
Snowfall continuous or frequent, beware of conditions becoming challenging.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards such as cornices.
Cold
Air temperature below freezing all day on the mountains. Severe 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
Wednesday 12th March 2025
Last updated
Tue 11th Mar 25 at
3:12PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Northerly winds will feel bitterly cold across the mountains. Showers running inland from north-facing coasts in the morning, developing more widely inland through the daytime, falling as hail and snow often toward lower slopes, some locally heavier showers particularly Pennine areas afternoon.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Snow and hail at times frequent, especially north. Cold wind.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly typically 25mph, but 30 to 35mph east from Cairngorm plateau. Particularly gusty near precipitation.
Effect of the wind on you?
Considerable wind chill. Higher up widely impeding ease of walking and in gusts balance difficult.
How Wet?
Frequent hail and snow showers
Succession of hail and snow showers. In Monadhliath, Cairngorms and Deeside the precipitation almost constant for periods with considerable accumulation of snow and whiteout.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive; lowest cloud base north/east
Cloud base varying: Generally patches below 500m near precipitation and often extensive above 800m Monadhliath and Cairngorms to Deeside. Highest base near/east form Ben Alder where breaks to 1000m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%, to 30% Drumochter.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of bright sunshine, mainly toward southwest in Drumochter area. The air very clear, but expect appalling visibility in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C; tending to rise slowly through daylight. Wind chill feeling like -10C, nearer -15C higher eastern tops.
Freezing Level
500m. Frost some valleys after dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 13th March 2025
Last updated
Tue 11th Mar 25 at
3:12PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 15 or 20mph; gusty near precipitation.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small
How Wet?
Hail and snow showers
Cairngorms and Deeside: Hail and snow showers, sometimes frequent. Elsewhere: occasional hail or snow, mostly flurries - mainly or only afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Intermittently lifting off higher summits
North Cairngorms: Cloud below 600m near precipitation and otherwise frequent above 800m, though most higher tops occasionally clearing. Elsewhere: cloud rare below 600m and intermittently clearing to above 900m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% north to 50% elsewhere
Sunshine and air clarity?
Intermittent bright sun. The air very clear, but very poor or appalling visibility in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C; rising marginally through day.
Freezing Level
500m; tending to rise to 700m more southern ranges through day. Frost many glens post dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 14th March 2025
Last updated
Tue 11th Mar 25 at
3:12PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North-northeasterly 15-25mph. Notable gustiness in the north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, some inconvenient gusts.
How Wet?
Snow and hail showers
Brief spells of snow/hail onto Cairngorm plateau and north. Isolated wintry showers south. Some overnight snow leaving a fresh covering in places.
Cloud on the hills?
Cloud banks north, often clear south
Frequent cloud banks on the north Cairngorm plateau with bases near 700m. Cloud banks come and go Deeside. Peaks often clear south, bases rarely reaching below 1000m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% north, 70% south
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchwork of sun north, frequent in the south. Excellent visibility, poor spells in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C, rising a degree or two south of Cairngorm plateau. Little chance north slopes.
Freezing Level
Widespread frost in the morning. Approaching 700m south of Cairngorm NP.
Planning Outlook
Staying cold all week with frost overnight to lower slopes and valleys, then during the daytimes the freezing level lifting onto higher slopes. Showers of snow and hail becoming fewer and well scattered as higher pressure expands in from the north. The wind speed also lessening. A largely fine weekend ahead with light winds, sunshine, broken cloud, and very clear crisp air. Some showers may run into northern Scotland on stronger winds here. Next week, a shift back to milder southeasterlies, with some showery rain developing at times.