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
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
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 1 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
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 1 to 5C 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 23rd October 2025
Last updated
Wed 22nd Oct 25 at
4:25PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Areas of rain and strong winds within a large area of low pressure, will circulate across Britain. However, although varied, many mountain areas, particularly mainland Scotland and NW England, between low pressure centres will experience relatively light wind and hardly any rain.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Mostly fine; risk rain (snow higher tops) mainly Cairngorms & Lochnagar.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Direction varied, 10 to perhaps west of A9 later 15 or 20mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small
How Wet?
Extensively dry; risk turning showery Cairngorms
Largely dry most or all day, although light rain or showers may drift into Deeside, and perhaps Cairngorms afternoon. Snow above 1000m. Total rainfall small.
Cloud on the hills?
Clearing many summits, may persist or lower onto Cairngorms/Lochnagar
Generally, patches from lowest slopes up from dawn, but by late morning, cloud broken and mostly above 1100m. Some uncertainty for Deeside and increasingly Cairngorms: cloud may not often clear above 1000m, and in precipitation lower to 650m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%, but 30% Deeside
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine particularly west of A9, although areas of high thin cloud may slowly thicken at least east of A9. Visibility excellent or perhaps superb.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C.
Freezing Level
1100 to 1300m.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 24th October 2025
Last updated
Wed 22nd Oct 25 at
4:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 20 to 35mph at first, strengthening with peak winds 45 to 60mph later in day, maybe stronger north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Be prepared for deteriorating conditions with arduous becoming difficult conditions with significant, later severe, wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent precipitation, snow tops.
Frequent precipitation, perhaps even constant precipitation much of the day. Falling as snow over the tops where whiteout conditions may prevail.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Whilst bases will vary, be prepared for poor conditions with extensive hill fog. Bases widely around 500-700m, but perhaps lower at times in the north.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast. Visibility frequently poor due to rain, very poor or at times whiteout, in summit snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 2C. Feeling closer to -15C in the strongest winds as they pick up later in day.
Freezing Level
Close to highest tops
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 25th October 2025
Last updated
Wed 22nd Oct 25 at
4:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North to northwesterly 35 to 55mph, perhaps even stronger for periods northern hills.
Effect of the wind on you?
Be prepared for arduous if not difficult conditions with significant, perhaps even severe, wind chill and buffeting.
How Wet?
Frequent showers, snow upper slopes.
Frequent showers moving in on the northerly winds. Snow falling as low as 500-600m at first, but level to which snow falls will rise to 800-900m.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive higher slopes
Fairly extensive coverage across higher slopes above 700-900m, perhaps down to 500m for periods N Cairngorms.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, mainly in the south. Visibility ranging from very good to poor or very poor as showers come and go.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C lifting to 1C, but feeling more like -15C in the wind.
Freezing Level
700m lifting to 1000m
Planning Outlook
A cold weekend; higher summits close to freezing point in England and Wales and below in Scotland. Substantially dry on many mountains but areas of frequent showers (hail and snow), mainly NW and W Highlands (where wind close to gale on Saturday) and north and west Wales. Some uncertainty for Sunday afternoon with threat of rain setting in on many western mountains - ahead of a less cold but often windy and wet few days.