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.
Dry and sunny
Extensive sunshine. The mountains free of cloud once any early mist patches disperse.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Dry and sunny
Extensive sunshine. The mountains free of cloud once any early mist patches disperse.
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
Sunday 8th March 2026
Last updated
Sat 7th Mar 26 at
1:08PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A blanket of low cloud and haze (particularly Pennines) over England, Wales and SW Scotland will spread to the Borders and S Highlands later in day - albeit cloud breaks in places. The Scottish highlands mostly fine albeit windy in the NW with chance of a little rain.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Windy higher slopes. Cloud lifting off most summits.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 20 to on higher areas and in gusts on lower slopes 30-35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery and gusty at times higher terrain - and local sudden gusts lower slopes north of major ridges and summits.
How Wet?
Rain very unlikely
Isolated fine drizzle from Ben Alder area to summits east from Drumochter.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly southern hills. Clearer in north.
Patches, in some areas widely from dawn above 500 to 800m (higher Munros may be above this cloud). Most or all clearing by midday or early afternoon, before the risk of very low cloud envelops areas from Ben Alder to summits east from Drumochter.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70% middle of day - dropping to 20% from south late in day.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensive sunshine, sometimes through high thin cloud. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C. Little temperature change above 900m.
Freezing Level
Poorly defined: 900 to 1200m. Frost many glens at dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 9th March 2026
Last updated
Sat 7th Mar 26 at
1:08PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 15mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small
How Wet?
Little or no rain
Bursts, probably brief, of showery rain may occur here and there: total rainfall small.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive morning; increasing chance clearing some areas afternoon
Confidence in detail presently low: Areas of fog, widely across the hills from dawn, in some areas on lower slopes, in others only higher up. An improvement very likely, perhaps substantial as some or many higher areas clearing in afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% rising to 40% north.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Cloud will tend to break, perhaps substantially in some areas (most likely Monadhliath east to Deeside) afternoon. Visibility mostly excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4C, may drop marginally through day.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 10th March 2026
Last updated
Sat 7th Mar 26 at
1:08PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to on higher slopes southwesterly; increasingly markedly with height to a gusty 40mph on higher exposed areas.
Effect of the wind on you?
Markedly increasing buffeting and wind chill with height. Balance may well be difficult for periods on higher slopes.
How Wet?
Rain rarely
Rain occasionally or rarely - very little in total.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistent; lowest cloud base toward south
Generally persistent cloud above 600m, but northwards across Monadhliath and Cairngorms and across Deeside cloud base rising to 900m to 1100m
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sun mainly lower slopes north of about Dalwhinnie and particularly Deeside. Very good visibility although slight haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C - little temperature drop above 900m. Will feel as cold as minus 10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits - some terrain above 900m may be frozen.
Planning Outlook
Increasingly wet and windy, particularly western mountains through next week. From Wednesday, bouts of upland severe or storm force winds will reach the Sottish Highlands and the gales periodically affecting other mountain areas later in the week. Freeze thaw cycles will occur on higher areas south from S Scotland whilst the Scottish Highlands experience infrequent thaw, with fresh snow sometimes reaching lower slopes, whilst extensive higher up.