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 and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail.
Cold
Air temperature near or 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.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail.
Cold
Air temperature near or 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 25th October 2025
Last updated
Fri 24th Oct 25 at
4:24PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Chilly to cold; sub-zero temperatures across Scottish highlands. Frequent showers into north and central Scotland, snow on high terrain with a risk of hail. Showers into Wales as well with snow on high slopes; likely dry with sun for Lakeland and Pennines. Windy too with gales in Scotland, strongest east highlands.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Showers with snow and hail north slopes; gales
How windy? (On the Munros)
North to northwesterly 40 to 60mph, sustained speeds strongest higher Cairngorms and particularly eastern mountains. Squally gusts widely.
Effect of the wind on you?
Be prepared for arduous condition, risk severe over the high tops of eastern Cairngorms. Stability will be widely challenged with regular gusts. Significant to severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent showers, snow and hail upper slopes.
Frequent showers moving in on the northerly winds. Snow falling as low as 500-600m at first, but level to which snow falls will rise slightly. A risk of hail as well for much of the day.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive higher northern slopes, breaks south
Fairly extensive coverage across higher slopes above 900m, down to 600m early north of Cairngorm plateau. Rare breaks to tops, more frequent south of the high Cairngorms and towards Drumochter.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% high Cairngorms, 70% Monadhliath
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, brighter and most frequent in the south. Visibility often poor or very poor north of high Cairngorms, but very good to the south where out of fog and showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C all day, possibly a degree colder at dawn. Feeling like -15C to -18C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
700-800m. Local frosts possible in sheltered glens.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 26th October 2025
Last updated
Fri 24th Oct 25 at
4:24PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 35mph, risk 45mph at first, likely easing to 25mph or briefly less. Later risk increasing westerly 40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking and significant wind chill early, lessening for a time, but expect worsening conditions again later.
How Wet?
Brief flurries, later steady rain
Occasional light showers, mostly toward west and north of Cairngorms, snow flurries above 700m. More constant precipitation for several hours afternoon, turning to sleet possibly rain toward higher tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied over high tops, lowering
Cloud banks above 900-1000m in the morning, mostly tops in Monadhliath and toward north Cairngorms, clearer toward Deeside & Glen Garry. In afternoon, lowering from the west to widely shroud high terrain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% later 20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun in morning, soon weak as high cloud thickens; then overcast. Visibility mostly very good, reducing later from west in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C, only a slight rise if any. If exposed to stronger winds, feeling like -10C, possibly -15C at first high tops.
Freezing Level
800m, plus frost in sheltered glens at dawn. Slowly rising, by evening may lift just above high tops; then 1200m into night.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 27th October 2025
Last updated
Fri 24th Oct 25 at
4:24PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 35-45mph, shifting northwesterly. Strongest winds eastern Cairngorms where gusts may reach 50mph over tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous to arduous conditions. Gusts over high tops may require bracing, notably east. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Northern Cairngorms snow showers
Showers drift onto northern slopes of the Cairngorms, falling as snow on higher terrain. Showers will tend to abate, though not entirely.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly high Cairngorms and north aspects
Cloud on northern slopes and tops of the Cairngorm plateau, some bases reaching towards middle slopes from dawn. Bases will rise with breaks forming, though high Cairngorm summits may only see brief clear moments. Most other hills well-clearing.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% Cairngorm summits, 80% elsewhere
Sunshine and air clarity?
A mix of cloud and sun, trending towards sunnier conditions. Mostly excellent visibility, though very poor where in snow on high Cairngorms
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C. Feeling as cold as -15C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
800-900m, frosts likely in the glens towards the central highlands in the morning.
Planning Outlook
Sunday will be increasingly wet for all, then Monday substantially dry though showers into northern areas will continue with snow and hail onto high terrain. Temperatures stay cold into early next week; higher summits of England and Wales close to freezing point and Scottish summits all below freezing - snow is expected. Westerlies will begin to re-establish on Tuesday, allowing temperatures to rise and focusing rain and showers onto western slopes. Eastern areas will be often dry with bright or sunny periods through mid-week, though some rain and cloud will slip east. Indications of winds shifting southerly later in the week and into the weekend, brining a further rise in temperature and a risk of several low pressure systems drawing bands of rain across the country from the south and southwest.