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
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.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
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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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.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
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
Wednesday 18th March 2026
Last updated
Tue 17th Mar 26 at
3:05PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Patchy low cloud across many hills early, lifting and fading, particularly away from west coasts; sun breaking out. A weak front lingers over south Scotland, maintaining low cloud and some light spotty drizzle. Light wind, though a blustery morning in the north Scottish highlands; breezy in south Wales too.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Blustery in exposure early with some low cloud, improving
How windy? (On the Munros)
Gusty west-southwesterly 20-30mph at dawn, a general westerly shift (though some variability) and easing to around 10mph, lower to the south.
Effect of the wind on you?
Impeded walking with buffeting and wind chill to start the day in exposure, gradually easing to fairly small effects.
How Wet?
No precipitation expected
Cloud on the hills?
Early low cloud largely clears
Banks of cloud early in the day, mostly below 900m, including into the glens. After sunrise, most cloud will lift upslope for a time, dissipating for largely clear hills. A small risk late in the day of a sheet of low cloud approaching southernmost slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Early sunshine, high cloud soon building, overcast periods likely but also with bursts of sunshine. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C, lifting to 3 or 4C, approaching 5C hills accessed from Deeside. Feeling as cold as -10 to -12C in the early morning exposed to direct wind.
Freezing Level
1000-1100m from dawn, lifting to just high summits or above.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 19th March 2026
Last updated
Tue 17th Mar 26 at
3:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable 10mph or less.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible.
How Wet?
Precipitation unlikely
Cloud on the hills?
Variable early, substantially clearing
At dawn, banks of cloud at various heights, including fog in glens; highest summits likely above cloud. Cloud lifts and dissipates after dawn, most hills clearing, but banks continue to variably affect eastern Cairngorms, particularly Deeside.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny though some high cloud around. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C to start, coolest on northern slopes, rising several degrees, least change around Deeside.
Freezing Level
1200m or higher.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 20th March 2026
Last updated
Tue 17th Mar 26 at
3:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 10 to 15mph, may increase a little to 20mph in places afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small.
How Wet?
Precipitation not expected
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly little
Patchy fog in glens at first, lifting into patchy cloud on some slopes, mainly toward the south, but largely dispersing through middle of day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
90%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly sunny, some thin cloud. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 6C, some cooler spots at first, then some slightly warmer spots by afternoon.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but frost in glens and some sheltered higher areas at dawn.
Planning Outlook
Fairly widely settled conditions across the country later this week. Some cloud and spotty light rain lingers in north England/south Scotland for a few days, elsewhere becoming mostly sunny; valley fog in many lowland areas early, lifting and dissipating after sunrise for clear hills. Generally milder temperatures and light wind but the occasional stronger gust. The weekend is anticipated to be settled as well, with a mix of cloud and sun, early low cloud lifting and clearing many mountains, only occasional spots of rain in the far northwest of Scotland. A spell of more unsettled weather expected next week, with stronger wind, precipitation, and colder temperatures.