Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 29th February 2020
Last updated
Saturday 29th February 2020 at
7:34 AM
Summary for all mountain areas
A complex weather situation. An early zone of rain and upland snow clears away eastwards, with cloud breaking widely. Then another area of heavy snow spreads in from the west into the afternoon. Wind speeds varied; least windy northern Scotland, but increasingly stormy across hills of England & Wales.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Dry following early snow/rain; winds varied.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Direction changing quickly, mostly southerly, briefly westerly; at dawn may be 40mph, then typically 25-40mph with brief lulls. Risk locally reaching 50mph again for periods.
Effect of the wind on you?
Sometimes small, but beware of changing conditions giving periods of arduous walking conditions and significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Becoming dry in morning, then risk snow returning later afternoon.
Early snow & rain will break up during early morning, becoming generally dry for several hours through middle of day into afternoon. However, later in day, increasing risk of snow returning suddenly from the southwest, setting in giving whiteout, soonest around Ben Alder.
Cloud on the hills?
Clearing most summits
Extensive fog after dawn, in places, 'hanging' on some lower slopes. Will quickly improve markedly, as most summits clear for several hours. Risk sudden deterioration again late in day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A few hours of bright sunshine and excellent or superb visibility as cloud and precipitation clears northwards, and before the risk of next cloud and precipitation band late in day.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Temporarily near 0C post dawn, then dropping, to -4C by midday. Where exposed to strongest winds, feeling close to -15C.
Freezing Level
Temporarily above 1000m post dawn. Dropping in stages to 400m by early afternoon.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 1st March 2020
Last updated
Saturday 29th February 2020 at
7:34 AM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Low confidence as a low centre passes close by: west or southwest 30 to 50mph, risk 70mph for a time.
Effect of the wind on you?
Risk of walking being arduous or difficult for at least part of the day.
How Wet?
Intermittent snow
Bands or patches of snow around an area of low pressure may give some areas snow for several hours whilst nearby there is relatively little snow.
Cloud on the hills?
Some summits cloud free.
Cloud base likely to vary, perhaps widely within short distances. Away from precipitation breaks to higher tops, but areas where fog shrouds even lower slopes are probable.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Areas of intermittent sun and very good visibility interspersed with areas of thick cloud and very poor or appalling visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C
Freezing Level
550m
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 2nd March 2020
Last updated
Saturday 29th February 2020 at
7:34 AM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly or variable, speeds varied (detail uncertain), intermittent lulls, but for periods risk 30 to 50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Expect buffeting and significant wind chill across the hills; conditions may vary through the day.
How Wet?
Snow showers
A few snow showers or flurries spreading from the west, may be locally frequent for a few hours, mostly areas west of the A9. Further east more often dry through the day. Rain lowest slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly higher slopes
Cloud bases varied, sometimes shrouding the mountains for periods above 900-1000m, and below 700m during snow. Some breaks to higher slopes, mostly toward Deeside & the Lecht.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun, most common eastern Cairngorms NP. Visibility often very good, but at times very poor if in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C
Freezing Level
Around 600m, may rise slightly through day.
Planning Outlook
Remaining cold into the start of March, with westerly winds generally prevailing. Scottish mountains staying sub-zero much of the time, whilst England & Wales will see periods of freeze and thaw, and snow more often confined to higher slopes. Precipitation remaining focused on western mountains. Lower terrain staying very wet underfoot. Wind speeds varied, occasional lulls, but also gales at times. Some indications of higher pressure into the second week of March.