Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Sunday'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.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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.
Snow
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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
Sunday 15th November 2026
Last updated
Sat 14th Nov 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Rain and increasingly snow over Scottish mountains as colder air moves in. Drier and higher cloud bases toward southwest Highlands. Rain affects northern England and Wales with some persistent and locally heavier falls, becoming snow on hills into evening. Wind speed and direction will vary in all areas.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Frequent or persistent snow, cloud covering hills.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable up to dawn, soon northerly 20 to 30mph, occasional gusts toward 40mph on higher Cairngorms possible.
Effect of the wind on you?
Varying, starting to affect comfortable walking at times over high terrain, some more challenging moments possible. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Often snowing many hills, patchier afternoon especially west
Fairly persistent snow over the hills much of the day, though early morning starting as sleet or rain lower down, also higher up at first particularly in southeast areas. Steady snowfalls focused on northern areas into afternoon, often light many places, tending to become patchier further west and south.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Shrouding the mountains fairly widely all day, to mid-elevations in northern Cairngorms much of the day, and in most places above 800-1000m. Local breaks forming in the afternoon from the west.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast, some brighter skies may develop further west in afternoon. Visibility mostly poor, appalling at times where in snow and cloud on tops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 0C at dawn, dropping widely during morning to -2 or -3C. Feeling like -10 to -15C directly in the wind on higher mountains.
Freezing Level
Up to dawn 1000m or above, soon lowering from north to 500-600m, or falling toward lower slopes during afternoon.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 16th November 2026
Last updated
Sat 14th Nov 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwest 30-40mph at dawn, easing during day, to 10mph or less afternoon. From dusk, rising SE'ly, gales into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill and challenging walking on high terrain at first, with time becoming small. Deteriorating after dark.
How Wet?
Local showers fading
Brief snow and hail showers mostly north and eastern Cairngorms early morning, fading out to become dry by middle of day.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly higher Cairngorms in morning
Varying cloud base capping higher slopes mostly northern Cairngorms in the morning, but increasingly breaking up to leave the mountains clear by early afternoon, or sooner south/west areas.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% rising to 90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Intermittent sun in morning, but increasingly sunnier. Visibility mostly excellent, but locally briefly poor if in early showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C. Feeling near -15C directly in the wind early morning, but improving.
Freezing Level
500-600m.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 17th November 2026
Last updated
Sat 14th Nov 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 40 to 50mph, in places risk 60mph and very gusty around high mountains; may lessen slightly during the daytime.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging to possibly difficult conditions across the mountains, buffeting gusts to lower slopes and significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Risk of hill snow, mostly south
High uncertainty about extent of precipitation: Risk of some persistent snowfalls, mainly south and eastern Cairngorms NP, sleet or rain lower elevations; may be patchy small amounts toward Strathspey.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Likely shrouding the mountains widely, from lower elevations upward south and eastern areas, some higher cloud bases toward and west of A9, rarely above tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and dull, local brighter skies possible toward Monadhliath. Visibility mostly poor, appalling if in snow and cloud on high terrain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 or -2C, may lift to around 0C. Feeling like -15C or possibly colder in exposure to stronger wind.
Freezing Level
500-700m, lowest if precipitation continues, but tending to rise a little into the afternoon.
Planning Outlook
Cold with higher terrain frequently or almost permanently frozen most or all next week particularly in Scotland. Meanwhile Wales and northern England will see one or two incursions of much warmer air together with areas of persistent rain and intermittent hill snow. Less precipitation generally northward 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.