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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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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.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 20th December 2025
Last updated
Fri 19th Dec 25 at
4:46PM
Summary for all mountain areas
South to south-easterly winds, reaching gale force for western hills, local drizzly showers southwestern Scotland as well as Wales, with ain into Pembrokeshire later. Elsewhere, areas of weak sun and low cloud. Low cloud focused on eastern side of Pennines and also southern and eastern Highlands.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Strong and gusty winds. Mostly dry. Hill fog focused in the south. Clearer in north.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to south-easterly 25 to 40mph, perhaps touching 50mph at times over Cairngorm Plateau.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking fairly arduous for periods with a very gusty and turbulent airflow. Significant wind chill and buffeting.
How Wet?
No precipitation expected
Cloud on the hills?
Breaks in north, covering hills in south.
Banks of low cloud covering the Drumochter hills and over to Ben Alder across upper slopes above 700m. Further north, caps of cloud mainly over tops with hill tops perhaps often clearing.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% south, 70% north
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patches of weak sun through high cloud, mainly in the north. Visibility good or very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C, small rate of change in temperature with height.
Freezing Level
Around 1200m
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 21st December 2025
Last updated
Fri 19th Dec 25 at
4:46PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-easterly backing easterly 20 to 30mph, perhaps lifting to 40mph at times.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery, turbulent airflow with significant wind chill. Sudden gusts running downslope and reversals in direction.
How Wet?
Patchy rain and summit snow
A few patches of rain or summit snow may feed in from the east or south-east at times. Small amounts and may well be dry for several hours.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Hills very likely shrouded in cloud down to mid or upper slopes. Some breaks possible, between cloud layers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly overcast. Visibility good at times, but poor in any rain or snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 1C, small change in temperature with height. Feeling closer to -10C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Around 1000m
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 22nd December 2025
Last updated
Fri 19th Dec 25 at
4:46PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 35 to 45mph, easing to 20 to 30mph in afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous conditions for several hours, sudden and strong wind gusts running downslope. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain and drizzle becoming patchy
A warm front and its widespread rain clears early, but further patches of rain and drizzle following, perhaps frequent onto hills accessible from Deeside.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest bases in east.
Extensive low cloud will cover the hills throughout much of the day. Down to lowest slopes across eastern and southern areas.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast. Visibility poor in rain and drizzle, but improving to good as rain clears.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C, but feeling closer to -10C where exposed to the strongest winds.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
A much drier and chiller theme develops into the Christmas period and perhaps into the New Year, as high pressure builds to the north and northeast and maybe later in the period overhead over Scotland when inversion conditions would be in place. An extensive cloud sheet will likely come in from the North Sea over many days with light snow showers or flurries likely, rain to lower slopes, but many areas dry. Best breaks in the west.