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
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 flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Clear over snow cover
Excellent or superb visibility, but be aware that paths over the mountains may be obscured by lying snow.
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.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
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 flurries
Occasional light snow flurries, sleet or rain lower elevations. Amounts little more than nuisance value, but locally more persistent and reducing visibility for periods.
Clear over snow cover
Excellent or superb visibility, but be aware that paths over the mountains may be obscured by lying snow.
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
Friday 13th February 2026
Last updated
Thu 12th Feb 26 at
12:55PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A change in the pattern as cold air will have extended south overnight. Nearly all mountain terrain frozen in Scotland whilst further south, particularly higher terrain progressively freezes. Patches of snow, at times persistent Wales, but otherwise total precipitation small.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Risk snow showers. Nearly all terrain frozen.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 20mph. Abruptly gusty near showers (mainly Deeside).
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small; nevertheless sudden buffeting and considerable wind chill near showers.
How Wet?
Snow flurries or showers, mainly Deeside
Deeside: Snow and hail showers, some heavy, and perhaps frequent over an hour or two. Elsewhere, a few snow or hail showers or flurries, mainly afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Cloud base varying; lowest and most persistent Deeside
Deeside: Cloud base varying typically from 500m near precipitation to otherwise 600 to 800m - although perhaps a few breaks to 1000m. Elsewhere: well scattered cloud, rarely below 900m and breaks to 1100m, perhaps 1300m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Deeside: Sunshine at times, often excellent visibility but very poor in snow. Elsewhere: Patchwork of bright sun and superb visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5 or -6C.
Freezing Level
Nearly all terrain frozen although partial thawing lower, mainly sunlit slopes.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 14th February 2026
Last updated
Thu 12th Feb 26 at
12:55PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West later southerly, initially 20-30mph before a prolonged lull of 10-15mph. Strengthening from dusk.
Effect of the wind on you?
Soon small - but very difficult conditions quickly developing into the night.
How Wet?
Precipitation not expected
Cloud on the hills?
Little or none
Most hills free of cloud,. Here and there, cloud persisting higher slopes and corries.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensive bright sunshine before high level cloud spreads eastward afternoon. Excellent or superb visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4 or -5C; little change with added height.
Freezing Level
All terrain frozen all day, though some sun-exposed low slopes may see a light thawing.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 15th February 2026
Last updated
Thu 12th Feb 26 at
12:55PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
At first, a very gusty 55mph, then perhaps a slight lull for a few hours. From about midday westerly 30 to sometimes 40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Significant wind chill and widely arduous walking on higher areas; particularly difficult conditions at first and near precipitation.
How Wet?
Hail and snow showers
Persistent snow at first clearing within a few hours following dawn. In afternoon, hail and snow showers - most frequent west of A9.
Cloud on the hills?
Almost persistently covering higher mountains; varied cloud base.
Sometimes breaking to near or above 1000m at least fleetingly, but overall extensive cloud above 750m, and sometimes forming below 600m near. precipitation.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of bright sunshine by mid to late morning; most sun eastern Cairngorms NP. Sometimes excellent visibility, but abruptly appalling in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3 rising to -1C. Will feel as close to minus 14C where exposed to the wind in morning.
Freezing Level
Nearly all terrain frozen, albeit freezing level rising erratically toward 600 to 800m.
Planning Outlook
Widespread snow and severe upland gales Saturday night followed by very blustery showery conditions on Sunday - although a temporary thaw at least on lower slopes. Otherwise very much drier over the coming week. Bright sunshine and excellent visibility frequently on many mountain areas, although hail and snow showers in some areas with most upland areas frequently frozen.