Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Wednesday'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
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
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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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
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
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
Wednesday 14th January 2026
Last updated
Tue 13th Jan 26 at
3:57PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Cold westerly winds, backing southerly and strengthening ahead of a front which will move into western Scotland during the afternoon, with snow setting in for western mountains, patchier further east. Ahead of this front, scattered snow showers. Mostly dry for England and Wales until front edges precipitation into west later.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Mostly dry morning. Then strong southerly winds developing with snow risk later.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 30mph morning. Then backing southerly and strengthening to 40-50mph by dusk.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small particularly lower slopes morning. Walking then increasingly difficult and wind chill becoming significant.
How Wet?
Patchy snow extending east in afternoon
Extensively dry morning and early afternoon. Patchy snow then extending east, most persistent Ben Alder more patchy elsewhere. Mostly or perhaps completely dry Deeside.
Cloud on the hills?
Probably remaining extensive on most or all higher areas
Cloud generally widespread on higher areas, although as cloud base rises, breaks to 1000m may well occur, particularly toward Deeside. Will deteriorate in precipitation afternoon with cloud filling in across particularly Ben Alder and S Cairngorms NP.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sunshine, mainly toward Deeside. Cloud thickening later in day. Visibility very good or excellent but later appalling in snow..
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C. Directly in wind will feel as cold as minus 14C.
Freezing Level
500m. Frost many glens after dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 15th January 2026
Last updated
Tue 13th Jan 26 at
3:57PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25 to perhaps 35mph
Effect of the wind on you?
Strong enough to make walking arduous where exposed and balance at times difficult. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Occasional hail and snow showers
Hail and snow showers mainly west of A9; few if any reaching Ochils and Angus.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistently covering higher tops
Higher areas almost always cloud covered. Cloud base typically 600 to 1000m lowest southern Cairngorms NP west to Ben Alder. Highest cloud base near Cairngorm ski centre and Deeside where breaks to 1100m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sunshine - most sun Deeside. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C
Freezing Level
750m.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 16th January 2026
Last updated
Tue 13th Jan 26 at
3:57PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Low confidence in track of small potent low. May track east leaving little wind, but risk for a time, northwesterly 35 to 50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
High uncertainty over track of low. May stay to the east, but risk of difficult conditions for a time with significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Risk of a spell of heavy snow
High uncertainty: Risk of a spell of heavy snow, rain below 500m, for a few hours should low track overhead. Most likely eastern areas.
Cloud on the hills?
Risk extensive for many hours
Risk of extensive hill fog for several hours should widespread precipitation develop. Otherwise, would most likely be patches or banks mainly across the tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly overcast. Visibility would be widely very poor should rain and snow develop.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C
Freezing Level
700-800m, may be down to 500-600m should persistent precipitation develop.
Planning Outlook
Very uncertain forecast late Thursday and into Friday, as a small scale and rather potent low pressure system edges northwards across the country on a very uncertain track. May bring a spell of strong winds and upland heavy snowfall overnight and into Friday morning before pulling away to the east. Thereafter, a drier and chilly weekend will follow. Looking further ahead, a colder continental influence may be drawn in on south to east winds, with the snow pack across the Scottish Highlands being enhanced by further spells of snowfall where fronts edge in from the west, whilst further south snow accumulates on higher areas, and occasional falls reach lower slopes.