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
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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
Tuesday 17th March 2026
Last updated
Mon 16th Mar 26 at
3:15PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Widely windy, severe gales in Scotland. Rain in the western Scottish highlands edges into central highlands with time; early drizzle over many high slopes, lingering in Scotland, Lakeland, and Snowdonia. Sun breaking out afternoon over Wales and the Pennines with milder temperatures, though a chill in wind.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Severe gales; drizzle south and west slopes
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 50-60mph. Powerful gusts over high terrain and to some lower slopes too, risk up to 70mph in exposure in the morning. An easing trend begins overnight.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mobility widely difficult with significant wind chill; any stability challenges over high tops likely result in being blown over and pushed.
How Wet?
Some drizzle, driest N Cairngorms
Frequent/persistent drizzle from Ben Alder to summits near/east of Drumochter. Mostly just drizzle in the wind elsewhere, driest northern Cairngorm plateau, particularly east of Ben Macdui. Rain approaches western mountains later afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Blanket of fog - highest base N Cairngorms and Deeside
Blanket fog over Monadhliath, Drumochter and south Cairngorms, bases from 400-600m; occasional higher breaks on Deeside hills and north Monadhliath to 800m. North Cairngorm slopes clearer, mostly above 900m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil Cairngorm plateau, 20% Monadhliath
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and dull, although pockets of sun and very good visibility northern Monadhliath east across the lower slopes of the northern Cairngorm plateau.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C most of the day, 6C north Cairngorms. Into evening, a cooling trend begins from the west, dropping several degrees widely overnight. Feeling like -10 to 13C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits during daylight, lowering onto high terrain overnight.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 18th March 2026
Last updated
Mon 16th Mar 26 at
3:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Gusty west-southwesterly 20-35mph at dawn, shifting westerly and easing to around 10mph, lower to the south.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking with buffeting and wind chill to start, gradually easing to fairly small effects.
How Wet?
No precipitation expected
Cloud on the hills?
Early low cloud largely clears
Banks of cloud early in the day, mostly below 900m, including into the glens. After sunrise, most cloud will lift upslope for a time, dissipating for largely clear hills.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Often cloudy but with bursts of sun. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C, lifting to 3 or 4C, approaching 5C hills accessed from Deeside. Feeling like -10 to -12C in early wind.
Freezing Level
1000m from dawn, lifting to just high summits or above.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 19th March 2026
Last updated
Mon 16th Mar 26 at
3:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable 10mph or less.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible.
How Wet?
Precipitation unlikely
Cloud on the hills?
Variable early, substantially clearing
At dawn, banks of cloud at various heights, including fog in glens; highest summits likely above cloud. Cloud lifts and dissipates after dawn, most hills clearing, but banks continue to variably affect eastern Cairngorms, particularly Deeside.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny though some high cloud around. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C to start, coolest on northern slopes, rising several degrees. Only slight change with added height.
Freezing Level
1200m or higher.
Planning Outlook
Pressure begins to rise on Wednesday, bringing fairly widely settled conditions across the country. Some cloud and spotty light rain lingers in north England/south Scotland for a few days, elsewhere becoming mostly sunny; valley fog in many lowland areas early, lifting and dissipating after sunrise for clear hills. Generally milder temperatures and light wind but the occasional stronger gust. East Scotland stays cooler for a time, some overnight frosts possible under clear-sky nights. Over the weekend, first indications of a cool easterly wind building, perhaps some patchy rain here and there. Into next week, detail is uncertain; low pressure may occasionally unsettle the weather, brining cooler, wetter, and windier periods.