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
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.
Very cold
Significant wintry conditions - below freezing from lower elevations up all day, -7 or -8C highest summits, feeling like -20C or below on high tops due to wind chill. Frostbite and hypothermia risk. Substantial protective clothing is required.
Snowdrifts
Considerable lying snow over the mountains, with substantial drifting in places.
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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.
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.
Very cold
Significant wintry conditions - below freezing from lower elevations up all day, -7 or -8C highest summits, feeling like -20C or below on high tops due to wind chill. Frostbite and hypothermia risk. Substantial protective clothing is required.
Snowdrifts
Considerable lying snow over the mountains, with substantial drifting in places.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 7th January 2026
Last updated
Tue 6th Jan 26 at
4:20PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gale-force NW'ly winds England, Wales and S Scotland, slowly lessen from west. Areas of snow falling over N & E Scotland tends to ease and become patchy. A few showers or flurries elsewhere, but largely dry SW Highlands. Much terrain remains frozen, substantial snow depths much of Highlands.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Strong winds easing. Snow easing to flurries, cloud on hills.
How windy? (On the Munros)
North-northeasterly 30-40mph, risk 50mph in east up to and through dawn, tending to lessen to 15-25mph middle of day, shifting northwesterly afternoon 10-15mph or less up to dusk, little wind into evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill and arduous conditions around dawn, but improving during daytime, becoming small later.
How Wet?
Snow most persistent morning, patchy flurries continue
Snowfalls from overnight leaving additional accumulations, most substantial in north. Some ongoing snow into the morning, mainly northern areas, gradually fading into lighter flurries, but some of these continuing all day and into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, particularly higher Cairngorms
Cloud fairly widely on higher terrain, likely to persist over most of Cairngorms plateau, in places from 800m up, some lower patches. Some breaks forming elsewhere, but expect varied cloud banks clinging to tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy. Whiteout with difficult navigation on high tops in fog over snow; visibility becoming very good below cloud where dry.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5C. Feeling near -15 to -20C if exposed to stronger wind early in day.
Freezing Level
Staying near or below freezing from the glens upward.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 8th January 2026
Last updated
Tue 6th Jan 26 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Direction and speed likely to vary: mostly south or southwesterly, 10 to 25mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small.
How Wet?
Rare light snow
Often dry, but possible snow flurries locally from time to time.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied cloud around hills
Patchy cloud around upper slopes and corries, in places to some mid-slopes. Some mist lower down.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Varied cloud and sun, likely better east. Visibility very good in places, but beware risk of locally difficult navigation if in fog over snow cover on tops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4C.
Freezing Level
Most terrain frozen and snow covered, many glens stay sub-zero. Some lower sunlit slopes rise just above freezing.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 9th January 2026
Last updated
Tue 6th Jan 26 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable direction, mostly below 15-20mph, in places often little wind.
Effect of the wind on you?
Likely small.
How Wet?
Local flurries
Possible snow flurries, greater risk over eastern hills, may fall as sleet some lower slopes; likely amounting to little.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied patches
Patchy cloud clinging to some upper slopes and corries, filling in locally if snow occurs, but expect clearer spells over many mountains.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Any sun weak due to a veil of high cloud. Visibility very good over many hills, some haze or mist in glens.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2 or -3C.
Freezing Level
Terrain frozen into the glens, some slopes around 300-500m just above freezing point.
Planning Outlook
Terrain remaining widely frozen into the weekend, extensive deep snow cover for Highlands, less nearer the central belt. An additional substantial snowfall for Wales & Peak District on Thursday night, accompanied by gales. A fairly benign end to the week for Scotland, showers near some west coasts. By late Saturday into Sunday, southerly winds strengthen to gales - as a frontal system approaches, snow then freezing rain is likely, before at least a temporary rise of freezing level - some thawing develops on lower terrain, most pronounced in Wales toward higher slopes. Chilly patterns next week with some further hill snow, many mountains often sub-zero, but overall less cold.