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
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Chilly
Air temperature near or just above freezing on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Chilly
Air temperature near or just above freezing on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 26th December 2024
Last updated
Wed 25th Dec 24 at
2:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A front extending across Scotland brings mostly light rain, or toward the north sleet and wet snow on Munros. The far north likely drier and clearer. Variable southwesterly winds, gusty in places, but locally low speeds through the Highlands. England & Wales mild with low cloud and a little drizzle in the west.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Intermittent rain or drizzle, cloud covering many tops. Light wind.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable 10-15mph or less much of region all day. Mainly southern Cairngorms NP, southwesterly 20mph, risk stronger gusts on some slopes.
Effect of the wind on you?
Most likely very small widely, but locally gustier in south which locally may affect balance on some exposed ridges.
How Wet?
Drizzle, light rain on and off
Drizzly rain coming and going, more common on higher terrain southern Cairngorms NP and west of A9. Some sleet possible on highest peaks toward north in morning.
Cloud on the hills?
Most areas covered, higher bases north of Cairngorm ridge.
Bases mostly between 700-800m, lowering locally in rain. Extensive coverage of the high peaks, though rising up to 1100m north of Cairngorm ridge.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%, 50% north
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast in most areas, bright spells possible north of the Cairngorms. Visibility mostly poor, good in the far north.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C. Feeling like -5C if exposed to stronger wind.
Freezing Level
Generally above the summits, but may dip near to freezing in morning on highest tops toward northwestern Cairngorms range.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 27th December 2024
Last updated
Wed 25th Dec 24 at
2:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25 to 35mph, in places 40mph on higher Cairngorms.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery over higher terrain, affecting comfortable walking where exposed; marked wind chill on tops.
How Wet?
A little rain mostly west
Occasional light rain or drizzle, mostly areas near and west of the A9. Little reaching Deeside and toward Lecht.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive over tops
Shrouding higher terrain most or all day, lowest bases in Drumochter area, around 700m. Mostly above 900-1000m further north and east, some brief higher breaks.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Generally cloudy, local glimpses of sun toward east and northeast. Visibility good below cloud, but mistier around light rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 to 5C. Feeling like -7C where exposed to wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 28th December 2024
Last updated
Wed 25th Dec 24 at
2:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to southwesterly, 30 to 45mph, speeds may vary during day, then likely to strengthen further into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Frequent buffeting over higher terrain, arduous walking in places where exposed. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Occasional showers, snow tops
Showery rain on and off west of the A9, snow falling on Munros. More often dry toward Deeside.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly high tops, breaks east
Banks of cloud likely to come and go over higher mountains, mostly above 900-1000m. Clearing higher up at times east.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little sun breaking through, mainly east. Visibility often very good, but reduced in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C. Wind chill feeling like -10C on tops.
Freezing Level
1100 to 1200m.
Planning Outlook
Mild southwesterlies for the rest of this week with little if any remaining lying snow on the mountains. Cooler by the weekend - near to freezing over the Munros on Saturday, then colder in northern Scotland by Sunday. A mix of rain and high-level snowfall (in Scotland), most frequent precipitation in western Scotland, heavy at times. Through the New Year period, generally unsettled with areas of low pressure bringing more widespread precipitation and spells of gales, but likely becoming colder for all with upland snow more widely.