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.
Cloudy, mostly dry, snow cover
Mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sun, patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes. Snow covering higher terrain.
Cold
Below freezing all day from many valleys upward. Severe chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Winter kit required
Snow cover over the 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.
Cloudy, mostly dry, snow cover
Mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sun, patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes. Snow covering higher terrain.
Cold
Below freezing all day from many valleys upward. Severe chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Winter kit required
Snow cover over the 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 5th February 2025
Last updated
Tue 4th Feb 25 at
3:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Chilly westerly winds, strongest in northern Scotland, gale-force on higher mountains. Showers of snow and hail mostly over western Scotland in the morning will tend to fade with time. Patchy cloud across many western tops, some breaks forming.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Windy, up to gale-force high tops. Brief snow showers fading.
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to southwesterly, 30mph, up to 45mph in places higher Cairngorm plateau; local downslope gusts; lessening a little.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery over higher slopes, more arduous on some exposed high tops plus buffeting gusts toward east. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Possible snow or hail showers briefly
One or two brief showers of snow or hail passing from west to east, mainly morning. Fading out to be largely dry, particularly east and northeastern areas.
Cloud on the hills?
Clearing tops increasingly, especially east
Patches of cloud likely to come and go on higher slopes in the morning, mostly western parts of Cairngorms NP, above 900m. Breaks to most tops at times into afternoon. More often clearing toward Lecht and Deeside.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%, rising to 80% east.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Intermittent sunshine, best toward east. Visibility mostly very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C rising to 0C. Wind chill feeling like -10 to -15C.
Freezing Level
600-700m, plus frost in some glens from dawn, rising slowly just above freezing point to 900m, locally higher toward east. Some icy surfaces, fresh dusting of snow.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 6th February 2025
Last updated
Tue 4th Feb 25 at
3:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
S-SW'ly 25mph, but risk gusts 40mph on some higher summits and locally downslope from northern corries.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting comfortable walking in places on upper slopes; sudden buffeting some mid-slopes in north; considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
No precipitation
Cloud on the hills?
Little if any
Fragments of cloud drifting around some slopes and possibly corries, mainly southern Cairngorms NP. Most summits often clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Generally sunny. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or 1C, but some slopes rising near 5C, particularly north of the Cairngorms. Wind chill feeling like -7C.
Freezing Level
Terrain frozen or part-frozen, including frost in most glens early morning. Gradual thawing at many elevations in the sun.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 7th February 2025
Last updated
Tue 4th Feb 25 at
3:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southeasterly 20mph, to in places gusty 30mph over higher Cairngorms and locally downslope from northern corries.
Effect of the wind on you?
Often fairly small, but occasional gusty areas may affect comfortable walking, also giving marked wind chill.
How Wet?
No precipitation
Cloud on the hills?
Largely clear, rare patches
Possible patches or only fragments of cloud occasionally forming on mid to upper slopes in southern Cairngorms NP.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensive sunshine most of region, a little patchy cloud further south. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 0C, small change with height, locally slightly higher in north. Wind chill in places feeling near -10C.
Freezing Level
Varied, much terrain part-frozen, to near 600m toward south, but may be 1000m or higher in north. Also frost in some glens.
Planning Outlook
High pressure builds and becomes centred around Scandinavia in the extended outlook into next week. A chilly east to southeasterly pattern is likely to prevail into mid-February. Some lulls, but periods of gusty winds will give significant wind chill. Often extensively dry, but occasional snow flurries mainly over England & Wales, occasionally also eastern Scotland. Variable amounts of cloud, although the west and especially northwest Highlands often clear and sunny. Some mountains above freezing later this week, but from the weekend, generally sub-zero across all mountains - a sustained period of freeze from many lower slopes upward. Frost common into the valleys.