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.
Patchy cloud and winter sun
Mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sun, patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes.
Hazy, some fog banks
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Visibility reduced around cloud banks, hazier on some lower slopes. Locally some improvements possible out of cloud.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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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.
Patchy cloud and winter sun
Mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sun, patchy cloud occasionally covering some mountain slopes.
Hazy, some fog banks
Visibility reduced around cloud banks, hazier on some lower slopes. Locally some improvements possible out of cloud.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Winter kit required on higher terrain
Snow cover over higher mountains. Safe progress over some terrain will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 18th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 17th Jan 26 at
3:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Cloudy and damp air over many hills, more persistent rain and drizzle develops over northern England and east Wales. Clearer toward north-northwest Scotland. Near or below freezing on Scottish mountains. South to southeasterly winds, gusty in places; strongest toward Skye.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Gusty wind. Persistent cloud south, some breaks north.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southeasterly 25 to 30mph, suddenly gusty in places, particularly downslope from northern corries.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting ease of walking in exposure on tops. Varied lower down, but in places very blustery. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Precipitation unlikely
Cloud on the hills?
Low cloud most persistent south
An extensive sheet of low cloud over southern Cairngorms NP from mid-slopes up, but also banks of cloud rolling across higher Cairngorm plateau; best breaks toward Strathspey into Monadhliath, at times above tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% south, to 50% Monadhliath.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mostly toward Glenmore. Visibility very good out of cloud, but mistier to some mid-slopes toward south; challenging navigation in fog over snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C, but in places just above 0C on some upper-mid slopes. Feeling like -10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Small variation with height, near or just below freezing from many glens upward, terrain frozen or part-frozen.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 19th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 17th Jan 26 at
3:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southeasterly 25 to 35mph, gusty around higher mountains, particularly downslope around northern corries.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery in exposure, starting to affect comfortable walking, not just on highest terrain. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rare flurries
Possible snow flurries locally, greater risk toward the south, but amounts small.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly south and higher Cairngorms
Lowest and most persistent cloud banks from Glen Garry to Deeside, to some mid-slopes. Cloud banks likely drift over higher Cairngorms. Breaks toward Monadhliath.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% south, to 50% northwest.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Weak sun mainly toward Strathspey. Visibility good away from cloud, but likely dull toward south.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C, small change with height. Feeling like -7 to -10C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
700 to 900m, may rise locally just above freezing higher up. Partly frozen terrain into some glens.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 20th January 2026
Last updated
Sat 17th Jan 26 at
3:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 30 to 45mph, tending to strengthen, very gusty in places including downslope around northern corries.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting comfortable walking and making balance challenging, blustery not just on tops; considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
A little rain, snow on tops
Patchy areas of rain moving northwards, snow falling mostly above 900m. Small amounts northern Cairngorms and Monadhliath.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Covering upper slopes most of day, to some mid-slopes in south Cairngorms NP.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, brightest toward Strathspey, visibility good below cloud. Hazier toward south and east.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C. Wind chill feeling like -10 to -13C.
Freezing Level
1000 to 1100m.
Planning Outlook
South to southeasterly winds prevail into the new week, trending more easterly in Scotland, widely strengthening to become persistently windy, gales over mountains with powerful gusts. Mountains staying near to freezing point in Scotland, typically just above freezing to high tops in England and Wales for a few days. Initially weak fronts try to push in from the west bringing occasional rain and high-level snow, then some more persistent falls later in the week; generally driest in northwest Scotland. Colder air trying to move in from the east into later January, leaving most mountain terrain frozen in the longer range.