Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Tuesday'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 and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
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.
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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 and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
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
Tuesday 25th November 2025
Last updated
Mon 24th Nov 25 at
12:15PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Higher areas, mainly Scottish Highlands frozen, and frost some valleys at first. Otherwise, benign as from the west the northerly wind drops and snow and hail showers become isolated.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Higher areas frozen; a few brief hail showers Deeside. Wind dropping.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 20 to perhaps 30mph at dawn, strongest Deeside. Will gradually easing through daylight to 10mph and toward dusk backing westerly.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking arduous at dawn, mainly toward Deeside, but becoming negligible.
How Wet?
Snow/hail showers mainly eastern Cairngorms
Occasional brief showers, of hail or snow above about 400m, Deeside in morning. Rare if any flurries elsewhere.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied; some higher tops clearing, most remaining in cloud.
Generally, cloud base 700 to 900m - the cloud widespread eastern Cairngorms and Deeside morning. Otherwise, cloud will lift off some higher summits, but could come and go above about 1050m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% eastern Cairngorms to in afternoon 60% elsewhere
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of bright sunshine, though little sun east from Cairngorms. The air very clear so excellent visibility, but fog frequently on higher slopes.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C
Freezing Level
750m, rising slowly through day. Some frozen ground lower slopes after frost in valleys.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 26th November 2025
Last updated
Mon 24th Nov 25 at
12:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly soon 45 to 55mph. Will veer more westerly late in day and ease a little.
Effect of the wind on you?
Some easing through day, but extensively difficult walking where exposed with powerful gusts and considerable wind chill
How Wet?
Rain and drizzle now and again
Rain and drizzle spreading east morning (snow above 700m for a few hours). The rain off and on, and generally light northern Cairngorms NP; very little at all Deeside.
Cloud on the hills?
Becoming very extensive higher areas
Some higher slopes initially cloud free. Will gradually deteriorate as cloud forms above 450 to 600m east from Ben Alder to S Cairngorms NP; but 700 to 1000m elsewhere, highest Deeside and near Cairngorm ski centre.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Dropping to less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Pockets of weak sun lower slopes near Cairngorms; otherwise gradually becoming extensively dull and misty.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C rising to 3C through daylight. Will feel as cold as minus 14C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
750m morning; gradually transitioning to above the summits. Frost many valleys at dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 27th November 2025
Last updated
Mon 24th Nov 25 at
12:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly, strengthening through day, & quickly with height to widely 60mph where exposed on higher tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe wind chill and walking difficult. Where exposed on higher areas, generally mobility a struggle.
How Wet?
Rain on and off
Pulses of rain, most frequent Ben Alder and southern Cairngorms NP, very little toward Deeside.
Cloud on the hills?
Mountains persistently foggy.
Persistent cloud from 300 to 550m Ben Alder and southern Cairngorms NP. Elsewhere, cloud base between 600m and 1000m (generally highest Deeside and near Cairngorm ski centre).
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare glimpses of weak sun lower slopes northernmost Cairngorms/Deeside. Visibility widely poor in rain; otherwise hazy.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C. Will feel as cold as minus18C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
A long series of Atlantic lows passing north of or across Britain will bring high rainfall to western mountains together with frequent upland gales (sometimes storm force) and low cloud. Temperatures on higher tops sometimes below freezing point, particularly at the weekend in Scotland, but elsewhere fresh snow transient.