Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Saturday'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.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
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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.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 24th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 23rd Jan 26 at
3:35PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales widely across high terrain, strongest sustained speeds over Wales. Snowfall continues over east and southeast Scottish Highlands mountains, whiteout on higher terrain; rain lower down. Largely dry and clearer further northwest. Clearer also for the Lake District. Rain frequent in south Wales.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Gales on mountains. Snow most persistent south/east, low cloud.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 35 to 50mph, in places 60mph over exposed higher Cairngorms; powerful gusts downslope west of Cairngorms.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions; walking and balance difficult in exposed areas, buffeting gusts lower down; severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Persistent upland snow east and south, rain lower slopes, flooding east.
Snow falling most or all day across much of the Cairngorms and areas around Deeside, sleet or rain low-mid slopes. Smaller amounts northwestward, very little reaching Monadhliath. Very wet underfoot lower terrain around Deeside, flooding of streams and rivers.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, lowest east
Shrouding the Cairngorms and eastern mountains throughout the day, from mid-slopes upward most south and eastern aspects, higher bases toward Strathspey, occasionally above Monadhliath tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast, dull. Appalling visibility conditions over much higher terrain, better northwest; constant whiteout in cloud and falling or blowing snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to -2C. Directly in the wind feeling like -15 to -18C.
Freezing Level
600 to 700m, locally varied and may drift just above freezing to some higher elevations, particularly near Strathspey.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 25th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 23rd Jan 26 at
3:35PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East to southeasterly, speed tending to lessen during day, in range 30 to 50mph, gusty downslope.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging walking conditions may persist over much higher terrain, buffeting gusts lower down. Significant wind chill
How Wet?
Hill snow mostly south and east
Frequent or persistent snow flurries over the Cairngorms and areas to the south and east, sleet or rain on lower slopes. Patchy small amounts toward Strathspey, may be often dry Monadhliath.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Covering much higher terrain all day, lowest cloud base areas accessed from Deeside, to some mid-slopes. Higher base west and north, some breaks above 900m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, hazy. Poor visibility in snow, whiteout if in fog over snow cover on tops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 or -2C. Feeling like -12 to -15C in the wind.
Freezing Level
600 to 800m, may be slightly higher locally toward western side of Cairngorms.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 26th January 2026
Last updated
Fri 23rd Jan 26 at
3:35PM
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 soon becomes challenging with buffeting making balance difficult in exposure. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Snowing, mostly south and east
Persistent snow on the Cairngorm plateau, nearly constant on the south and eastern slopes. More patchy towards Drumochter and 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, highest breaks to 700-800m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
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)
-3C. Feeling like -15 to -20C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
300-500m, lowest freezing levels south and east. Morning frosts are likely in the glens.
Planning Outlook
East to southeasterlies continue onward into next week, frequently strong to gale-force over the mountains, giving severe chill factor. Below freezing across high terrain in Scotland, and into early next week a lowering freezing level over hills in England and Wales. Frequent or persistent snowfall over east and southern Scottish mountains. Patchier and small amounts reaching coastal regions in west-northwest Scotland. Areas of rain and increasingly hill snow push across England and Wales as low pressure remains dominant. Low cloud often covering many hills.