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
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Snow
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
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.
Snowdrifts
Considerable lying snow over the mountains, with substantial drifting in places.
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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Snow
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
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.
Snowdrifts
Considerable lying snow over the mountains, with substantial drifting in places.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 25th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 24th Jan 26 at
4:05PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Blustery for most, gales in Scotland which will be severe on high tops early. Continued snow and local whiteout conditions on high terrain in east Scotland, snowdrifts build here. Often raining over the Pennines and south Wales, more intermittent in north Wales and Lakeland (sleet or snow on high summits).
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Snowdrifts and whiteout conditions on high tops; gales
How windy? (On the Munros)
East to southeasterly 45-50mph in the morning, some stronger speeds over highest Cairngorm tops. Easing with time, to 35-40mph, lowest speeds on far eastern mountains.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging walking conditions in exposure most of the day; conditions easing, most notably in the east, though walking will remain arduous with balance challenges during daylight. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Often snowing over the Cairngorm plateau and east hills
Frequent or persistent snow flurries over the high Cairngorms and areas to the south and east, sleet or rain on lower slopes. Patchy small amounts toward Strathspey, likely dry towards north Monadhliath.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Covering much higher terrain all day, lowest cloud base areas accessed from Deeside, consistently down to middle slopes, lower in heavier precipitation. Higher base west and north, some breaks above 900m west of Strathspey.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Generally overcast and hazy. Poor visibility in snow, whiteout if in fog over snow cover on tops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 or -2C, starting to cool slightly from the east through afternoon into nighttime. Feeling like -12 to -15C in the wind.
Freezing Level
600 to 700m, may be locally higher toward western side of Cairngorms. Some frosts possible in elevated glens and corries. Lowering to 600m widely overnight.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 26th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 24th Jan 26 at
4:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 30-35mph, strengthening with time to a sustained 50mph by dusk with powerful gusts, further strengthening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking increasingly challenging; considerable buffeting making balance difficult in exposure. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery snow, mostly south and east
Showery snow on the Cairngorm plateau, frequent-to-persistent on south and eastern slopes. Patchy towards Drumochter/Strathspey, only spotty snow/sleet reaching northern Monadhliath, if any.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Blanket fog over the Cairngorm plateau and southern/eastern hills, at times into the glens during snow. Higher bases around Strathspey/Monadhliath, breaking to 900m at times.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bright/sunny moments early towards the Moray Firth, otherwise overcast. Very poor or appalling visibility in snow, better towards the Firth.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2 or -3C. Feeling like -15 to -20C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
300-500m, lowest freezing levels south and east. Morning frosts are likely in elevated glens and corries.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 27th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 24th Jan 26 at
4:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East-southeasterly 50-60mph; speeds may reach up to 70mph in high western exposed areas with powerful gusts.
Effect of the wind on you?
Widely difficult conditions - stability and mobility likely only achieved with crouching/crawling. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Often snowing east, more patchy west
Often snowing over the Cairngorm plateau and towards Drumochter; most persistent Deeside. Only wind-blown snow reaching west of Strathspey. May set in more widely late in the day.
Cloud on the hills?
High summits shrouded, best of breaks west
Shrouding the Cairngorm plateau all days, lowest bases towards Deeside which may reach lower slopes during heavier snowfalls. Best of cloud breaks over Drumochter and Monadhliath, up to 800-900m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, though brighter around Strathspey/Monadhliath where visibility good. Whiteout conditions east in blowing snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C. Feeling like -18 to -23C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
300-400m, though locally down to glen level towards the central highlands.
Planning Outlook
An unsettled week ahead: a dominance of low pressure will bring periods of wet weather and gales (at times severe), to all areas. Winds will be predominantly east-southeasterly, particularly in Scotland, maintaining the cold air with freezing levels consistently to middle or lower slopes - wind chills will be severe. A near-term risk of flooding in the eastern highlands. Wind direction will be more variable in England and Wales, at times shifting south-southwesterly and drawing in milder air, brining freezing levels to upper slopes or even above the high summits. Low cloud often covering many hills with only local sunny breaks here and there.