Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Friday's Forecast
Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Dry and sunny
Extensive sunshine. The mountains free of cloud once any early mist patches disperse.
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.
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Light wind, negligible impact
Little wind or walking hardly affected by the wind, but feeling chilly if exposed on tops. 10-15mph or less.
Dry and sunny
Extensive sunshine. The mountains free of cloud once any early mist patches disperse.
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
Friday 6th March 2026
Last updated
Thu 5th Mar 26 at
4:37PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A dry and sunny day for the Highlands and Galloway with early mist banks dispersing. Southerly winds strengthening in northwest later. England and Wales: Colder; patchy precipitation, snow to lower slopes N England, eases into afternoon, but still with extensive low cloud over hills, clearer breaks forming west coast.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
A fine and dry day with sunshine and light winds.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable 10mph or less. Trending southwesterly, rising with time to 15mph by evening, strengthening overnight.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible during daylight.
How Wet?
Precipitation not expected
Cloud on the hills?
Little or none
Some ragged cloud at various elevations lingering from before dawn, including mist in sheltered glens and corries. Cloud lifts and dissipates after daybreak for clear hills.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Greater than 90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some early high cloud, this clearing for extensive sunshine. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C, rising overnight.
Freezing Level
Lifting to 700-800m, though frosts to lower slopes and glens at dawn; slightly rising during daylight, above summits overnight.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 7th March 2026
Last updated
Thu 5th Mar 26 at
4:37PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 15 to 25mph, locally gusty in places, especially to north of Cairngorms.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but locally gusty spots may be more uncomfortable.
How Wet?
Precipitation not expected
Cloud on the hills?
Hardly any
Possible fragments around some south-facing slopes for a time, but most mountains likely clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4C, but some lower slopes colder in the morning; small change with added height.
Freezing Level
Slight frost some glens and sheltered higher areas after dawn, but lifting above freezing to the tops.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 8th March 2026
Last updated
Thu 5th Mar 26 at
4:37PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 20 to 30mph
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery and rather gusty at times across higher terrain.
How Wet?
Patchy rain, mainly south.
Patches of rain mainly affecting southern areas from Drumochter over to Ben Alder. Mostly dry further north.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly covering southern hills.
Cloud banks covering higher terrain in fog across Drumochter over to Ben Alder. Northern areas seeing little more than occasional caps on tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40% south, 70% north.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sun, mostly N Cairngorms. Marked haze likely. Best visibility northern mountains.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 to 5C, highest northern areas.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but slight frost some glens at dawn.
Planning Outlook
More cloud by Sunday as weak fronts encroach in from the west, some drizzly rain moving into parts of Scotland, hazy elsewhere. Patchy rain likely in the west at least early in the new week, likely dropping back just below freezing on the Munros for a time with some snowfall on higher areas. Winds fairly light early week, then a risk of strengthening southwesterly later in the week; changeable weather conditions with spells of rain coming in from the Atlantic. Remaining old snow cover on Scottish mountains stays largely consolidated with little change, only very patchy snow remains around highest tops in England and Wales.