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
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
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.
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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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
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.
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 8th February 2026
Last updated
Sat 7th Feb 26 at
12:07PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Little change with rain or on higher areas in Scotland snow on and off - showery in character Wales; and the mountains extensively foggy. Fairly light wind - except in northern Scotland at first.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Rain or snow on and off; extensive fog.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Mostly southeasterly typically 20 to 25mph,. At first 40mph, before the stronger speeds move away northeast through morning - it may be after midday before the wind drops Deeside and N Cainrgorms.
Effect of the wind on you?
Becoming fairly small after significant buffeting and wind chill on higher areas in morning.
How Wet?
Little or no precipitation
Rain, or above 600 to 900m snow here and there, mostly amounting to very little, although possibly widespread precipitation at dawn clearing only slowly north during day.
Cloud on the hills?
All or nearly all mountains persistently covered.
Persistent fog, but by afternoon perhaps breaks to 600m and here and there a few higher slopes briefly clearing or between cloud layers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil
Sunshine and air clarity?
Widely dull, misty or murky.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or 1C
Freezing Level
900 to 1050m. although nearly all terrain frozen.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 9th February 2026
Last updated
Sat 7th Feb 26 at
12:07PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-easterly 20mph
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small
How Wet?
Very little, if any.
Patchy rainfall and above 700 to 900m snow, focused again across hills accessible from Deeside down to Drumochter Pass. Small amounts.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, and widely to lowest slopes.
Very poor with extensive low cloud covering the hills, widely to lower slopes from hills near Deeside and down to Drumochter. 600-900m Monadhliath.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Remaining overcast. Widely misty and murky. Very poor visibility in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 1C
Freezing Level
800 to 1050m. but nearly all terrain frozen to lower slopes.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 10th February 2026
Last updated
Sat 7th Feb 26 at
12:07PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly between 30 and 40mph
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking increasingly arduous with height: here and there sudden gusts reaching lower slopes northwest of major summits. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain and snow frequently
Rain, drizzle or above about 600m snow. May well rarely cease most of region although total precipitation small Monadhliath.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistent fog
Persistent fog above 300 to 450m, although a little higher west of A9, perhaps 600m Monadhliath.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil
Sunshine and air clarity?
Dull and murky.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C Will feel near -12C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Between 800 to 1050m
Planning Outlook
Little change over the next few days with continued foggy conditions over most mountains, and rain, or on higher mainly Scottish areas snow. Intermittently southeasterly winds approaching gale force. Later in the week, progressively colder from the north with fresh snow on many mountains.