Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Tuesday'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 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.
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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
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 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.
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
Tuesday 18th November 2025
Last updated
Mon 17th Nov 25 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Extensive snow Scottish Highlands, falling to lower elevations inland, later showers of snow & hail in north/west. Wind varied in Scotland, then strengthening northerlies. Rain and some snow over higher tops England and Wales plus westerlies up to gale force. Cloud covering most higher terrain.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wind strengthening afternoon. Snow soon sets in for several hours.
How windy? (On the Munros)
A possible lull from dawn into morning, though locally variable and E-SE'ly gusts may reach 25mph in places. Into afternoon, trending northeast later northerly, generally increasing to 25-30mph, or 40mph dusk into evening and night.
Effect of the wind on you?
May be often small in the morning, but some gusty spots possible. Expect a general deterioration later in daytime to frequent buffeting and significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Persistent snow during morning; later showers with snow/hail.
Patchy light snow at dawn in east soon becomes widely more persistent from the west, at times heavier during morning, falling to lowest slopes. Fading to flurries into afternoon. Toward evening, showers develop from north, becoming persistent at times Cairngorms, snow to lower slopes and some hail into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest in snow
Shrouding the mountains widely, though may be more broken and higher bases at first in easternmost areas, soon lowering to blanket hills. Base rising a little afternoon, but tops likely stay covered. Varied bases into evening.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast with near-zero visibility extensive and prolonged as snow sets in. Some improvement afternoon, but very difficult navigation in cloud over snow cover.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3 or -4C, tending to lower during day (to -7C higher Cairngorms). Wind chill in stronger speeds near -15C, or after dark -20C.
Freezing Level
Most terrain frozen, near freezing into glens all day and soon sub-zero with any height.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 19th November 2025
Last updated
Mon 17th Nov 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 35 to 50mph, strongest higher Cairngorms.
Effect of the wind on you?
Often challenging walking conditions on exposed terrain, severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent snow and hail north
Succession of snow and hail showers coming in from north, merging to be near constant at times north Cairngorms. Fewer showers southwards toward Glen Garry. Snow lying into glens.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive higher areas
Shrouding the higher Cairngorms above 900-1000m most or all day, at times banks of cloud to 700m or lower in showers. Patches will come and go over higher Monadhliath. Further south, higher bases, breaks at times to tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun, mostly southern areas. Visibility at times appalling when in cloud and snow, but intermittently very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4 or -5C. Wind chill feeling like -15 to -20C.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen from glens upward, only slight rise above freezing point on some lower slopes.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 20th November 2025
Last updated
Mon 17th Nov 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 35 to 50mph from dawn, gradually lessening, into afternoon 25-30mph, or less from dusk.
Effect of the wind on you?
Continuing challenging conditions with significant wind chill, severe higher mountains; some improvement.
How Wet?
Frequent snow and hail north
Ongoing succession of snow and hail showers coming in from north, most frequent north Cairngorms, may tend to ease later. Fewer showers southwards toward Glen Garry. Snow lying into glens.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive higher areas
Persisting on higher Cairngorms above 900-1000m, at times banks of cloud to 700m or lower in showers, mostly morning. Patches will come and go over higher Monadhliath. Further south, higher bases, breaks at times to tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief bursts of sun, mostly southern areas. Visibility at times appalling when in cloud and snow, but intermittently very good, more often excellent later in day.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4 or -5C (to -7C highest summits). Wind chill feeling like -15 to -20C, coldest in stronger speeds in morning.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen from glens upward, only partial thawing lowest sunlit slopes.
Planning Outlook
Snow lying most widely in Scottish Highlands, to lower slopes inland, some high tops elsewhere into midweek. Strong to gale force northerlies Wednesday-Thursday, bringing snow and hail showers focused on northern Scotland and onto north-facing coastal districts elsewhere. Sunnier from central Scotland southward through northern England. By Friday into next weekend, winds shift back westerly and freezing levels rise to upper slopes - some rain likely, snow on high tops at times.