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.
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.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
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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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.
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.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
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 14th November 2026
Last updated
Fri 13th Nov 26 at
2:12PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Windy across higher areas, particularly so those near the north Irish Sea and Scottish Highlands (where widespread upland gales). Drizzly rain will affect some western mountains, but otherwise extensively dry. Much mountain terrain at least partly frozen, particularly morning.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Upland gales; Most terrain frozen.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, increasing markedly with height to 40mph, although on Cairngorm plateau and Ben Alder sometimes 50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Higher up significant wind chill and challenging walking. Expect balance to be difficult.
How Wet?
Snow now and again
Often dry, but risk of a little snow (turning to rain below 600m) - the risk very low N Cairngorms east to Deeside. Total rainfall very small.
Cloud on the hills?
Most higher mountains foggy. Cloud base highest toward Deeside.
Cloud base typically 650 to 900m west of A9 and Ben Alder east to southern summits in Cairngorms NP. Elsewhere, higher base, mostly 1100m or above north and east from Cairngorm plateau.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine now and again, perhaps sunshine extensive for periods toward and east of Braemar. Mostly good visibility but poor in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C rising slowly to 1C. Will feel as cold as minus 15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Most terrain initially frozen; thawing starting lower slopes as freezing level rises toward or later above 900m.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 15th November 2026
Last updated
Fri 13th Nov 26 at
2:12PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Still considerable uncertainty: After a lull, northerly 25 to 40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Temporarily small, but zones where wind chill significant and walking difficult - these challenging conditions could set in abruptly.
How Wet?
Periods of rain and snow
Areas of rain will circulate within general low pressure, from west abruptly changing to snow, except in valleys.
Cloud on the hills?
Fog very likely across the mountains all day
Fog in some areas from lower slopes up, and few breaks above750m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine not expected. Regions of very poor appalling visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 to 3C, abruptly -2 tp -4C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, particularly toward central belt. But abrupt change to 400m.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 16th November 2026
Last updated
Fri 13th Nov 26 at
2:12PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly; dropping from 45-60mph at dawn to 30-40mph by dusk. Windiest east from Cairngorm plateau
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe wind chill and considerable buffeting from lower slopes up in gusty winds. Walking or sometimes any mobility difficult higher areas.
How Wet?
Snow/hail showers
Squally snow and hail showers all day, some heavy. Generally showers becoming fewer and less heavy through day and from Ben Alder east to summits east of Drumochter, sometimes only flurries.
Cloud on the hills?
Very extensive; cloud base changing quickly.
Fog rarely clearing above 750m, perhaps 900m Ben Alder east to summits east of Drumochter. Near showers, plumes of cloud near 450-600m, highest toward Ben Alder and Drumochter.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine, mainly more southern hills. Appalling visibility in snow, but at least briefly very good between showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C. Will feel as cold as minus 17C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
600m.
Planning Outlook
On Sunday, uncertainty in forecast detail remains within a complicated area of low pressure. Beyond, cold with higher terrain frequently or almost permanently frozen most or perhaps all next week. Wales, and perhaps N England, will see one or two incursions of much warmer air together with areas of persistent rain and snow. Some higher areas may have a considerable snow. Overall, low precipitation across Scotland, but marked exceptions: here too, where the frequently northerly wind rises over mountains (with the sea directly to the north), accumulations of snow may well be considerable.