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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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 11th February 2026
Last updated
Tue 10th Feb 26 at
4:19PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Windy for many, gale force gusts in Scotland, most powerful west. Snowing south and east Highlands (whiteout on high terrain), only patchy west; rain to lower slopes at first. Extensive cloud from southern Scotland through England and Wales and often raining, heaviest south and west slopes. Lighter wind southern Pennines.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Windy, gale force gusts; near-constant snow, whiteout over snow cover
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 35-40mph sustained speeds, but also gusty on high terrain, strongest gusts reaching up to 50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking widely strenuous, arduous on high terrain where buffeting gusts may require bracing to maintain balance. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow; most persistent to the east
Frequent snow much of region, most constant around Deeside/east Cairngorms; mostly rain into glens and lower slopes. Only patchy snow further east, generally lightest and most patchy west of Aviemore. Falling as rain into glens and low slopes at first.
Cloud on the hills?
Blanket of fog across most mountains
Most hills persistently cloud covered above 500 to 600m - or lower Deeside. Some higher bases west of Strathspey, may reach up to 800m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10% Monadhliath, almost nil elsewhere
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast, dull or murky. Very poor or appalling visibility in snow, whiteout where over snow cover.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2 or -3C from dawn, dropping a degree by nightfall, locally lowering further overnight. Will feel as cold as -15 to -18C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
500-600m from dawn, lowering to 400m fairly widely by dark, lowering further overnight.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 12th February 2026
Last updated
Tue 10th Feb 26 at
4:19PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East-northeasterly 30-40mph, trending northeasterly and easing, 25-30mph, though may remain gusty over high tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking with severe wind chill early, slowly easing with time, though always blustery in exposure.
How Wet?
Snow, turning showery
Morning snow, most over the high Cairngorms and eastern hills/Deeside. The snow breaks into showers from the north, some reaching towards Strathspey/Monadhliath, occasionally slipping to southern slopes.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting to high terrain/northern slopes
Fairly extensive across most hills down to middle slopes from dawn, soon lifting and becoming more broken, mostly lingering on the Cairngorm plateau and northern slopes, some bases quite low in snow.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some glimpses of weak sun possible later but mostly cloudy. Visibility becoming very good where away from snow showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-4 or -5C (to -8C on highest summits). Feeling like -20C or colder in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Frost to glen level likely widespread from dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 13th February 2026
Last updated
Tue 10th Feb 26 at
4:19PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North-northeasterly 15-30mph, though some stronger speeds possible in highest exposure.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small in places, but often blustery with strenuous walking in high exposure with significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Some snow showers from the north
Snow showers drift inland from the north, mostly affecting the Cairngorm plateau and northern slopes. Southern slopes stay largely dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Cloud banks on high northern slopes
Cloud banks often clinging to the northern slopes, mostly 900m or higher, a few breaks. South of the Cairngorm plateau and towards Drumochter largely clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchwork of sunshine on high northern slopes, more consistent to the south. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-6 or -7C (to -11C Ben Macdui summit at dawn), rising a degree or two in sun. Feeling as cold as -20C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Terrain widely frozen, though sun-exposed glens and low slopes may thaw.
Planning Outlook
Becoming colder for all areas during the transition into the weekend, with much mountain terrain frozen again to increasingly lower elevations - soonest toward the north and east of Scotland. A widespread frost is likely early on Saturday. Northeasterly wind will be dominant - the distribution of snow showers shifting with time from eastern hills to more north-facing mountains, particularly Scotland. Away from showers later in the week, brighter than recently with sunshine and clearer hills, most likely later Friday and Saturday. Unsettled weather returns on Sunday, with a more active week likely to follow, dominated by west-to-northwesterly winds - most precipitation in the west with some freeze-thaw cycles in central and southern areas.