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.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Snowdrifts
Considerable lying snow over the mountains, with substantial drifting in places.
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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.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Snowdrifts
Considerable lying snow over the mountains, with substantial drifting in places.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 4th February 2026
Last updated
Tue 3rd Feb 26 at
4:25PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Easterly winds gale force across northern Scotland, easing further south. Ongoing snowfalls over E & SE Highlands, sleet or rain lower down; low cloud and whiteout over hills. Early sleet or snow over northern England fades, but low cloud lingers. Largely dry much of Wales, clearer hills west, but increasingly windy.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Gales, gusty. Snow most persistent east and south, whiteout.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 40 to 50mph, very gusty, more persistently 50mph over higher Cairngorms in the morning, speeds lessening a little into afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions, walking arduous over higher terrain with frequent buffeting gusts to some mid-slopes west of higher tops. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow continuing east
Snow most persistent over the eastern Cairngorms NP, some constant heavier falls possible, sleet only lower slopes. Patchier flurries westwards, very little much of Monadhliath.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, lowest east
Cloud shrouding the mountains widely, from mid slopes upward in east and southeast Cairngorms NP. Some higher bases toward Strathspey, local break.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and dull or misty. Whiteout over tops in fog and snow, locally better visibility lower western areas.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C, rising slightly during day, toward 0C into the night. Wind chill feeling like -12 to -17C.
Freezing Level
400 to 600m, highest on some western slopes, then rising variably above 800m further ahead into night.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 5th February 2026
Last updated
Tue 3rd Feb 26 at
4:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 45 to 60mph, strongest sustained speeds Cairngorm plateau, but powerful gusts in places 70mph elsewhere.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult mobility, violent gusts may knock you over in places. Severe wind chill over higher terrain.
How Wet?
Snow mostly eastern hills
Snow flurries, more frequent or fairly persistent south and east of Cairngorm plateau, initially rain below 500m, but with time snow to lowering elevations in east. Patchy amounts Strathspey westward.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, lowest east
Shrouding higher terrain widely, lowest cloud base 600 to 800m areas accessed from Deeside, 800 to 1000m further west and north, breaks higher up mostly toward and west of the A9.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, some glimpses of sun mainly Monadhliath. Hazy, often whiteout over higher terrain in cloud and snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C, lowering a degree or so from east. Wind chill feeling like -17 to -20C.
Freezing Level
700m, tending to drop later from east toward 400-500m.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 6th February 2026
Last updated
Tue 3rd Feb 26 at
4:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 40 to 60mph, strongest over Cairngorm plateau, but local powerful gusts downslope west of high tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult mobility on high terrain, buffeting gusts knocking you off balance some lower slopes. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow most continuous east
Snow frequent across the Cairngorms, more persistent east and southeast areas, intermittent flurries toward and west of the A9; sleet or rain only lowest slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive across higher areas
Covering the mountains widely, above 600-800m in eastern areas, 800-1000m further west, some breaks near and west of A9.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Widely cloudy, some brighter moments near/west of A9. Whiteout over the mountains in snow and cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4C (to -6 or -7C highest Cairngorms tops). Wind chill feeling like -18 to -22C.
Freezing Level
300-400m, much terrain frozen from just above glens upward; locally more variable up to 600m west of Cairngorms.
Planning Outlook
East or southeasterly winds prevail, persistent gales later this week, severe chill factor over the mountains. Freezing levels will vary, lowering widely again below 600m during Thursday, though staying higher in Wales; then less cold widely into the weekend, rising just above freezing point in Scotland toward 1000m or briefly higher. Colder air then likely returns from east next week. Further snowfalls mostly over eastern hills in Scotland, occasionally hills in England & Wales, mixed with rain here. Indications of less precipitation and lower wind speeds for periods during next week. Highest cloud breaks generally west & northwest Scotland.