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 and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
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 and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
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
Tuesday 10th February 2026
Last updated
Mon 9th Feb 26 at
4:07PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Windy and significant chill factor for the Highlands - murky and snow falling over the hills most persistent in eastern Scotland, rain below 600m. Better toward northwest, some cloud breaks toward coast. In northern England, lessening wind, patchy rain fading, low cloud rising higher. Drier until later for Wales.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Strong, gusty wind. Persistent hill snow and blanket low cloud.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 30 to 40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking increasingly arduous with height: here and there sudden gusts reaching lower slopes northwest of major summits. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain and snow frequently
Rain, drizzle or above about 600m snow, but wetter a little higher up near Drumochter. Rarely ceasing most of region although total precipitation small Monadhliath.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive from low levels up
Persistent fog above 300 to 450m, although a little higher west of A9, perhaps 600m Monadhliath.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil
Sunshine and air clarity?
Dull and murky. Difficult navigation where in fog over snow cover and where snow also blows around.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C. Will feel near -12C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
800 to 1000m, highest typically around the A9 corridor westward.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 11th February 2026
Last updated
Mon 9th Feb 26 at
4:07PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly in the range 30 to 45mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Widely arduous or difficult walking and significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow; probably almost constant
Frequent or constant snow much of region, although mostly rain valleys. Generally lightest and most patchy snow will be near and west of A9.
Cloud on the hills?
Blanket of fog across the mountains
Most hills persistently cloud covered above 400 to 600m - or lower Deeside.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast, dull or murky. Very poor or appalling visibility in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 to -3C: tending to lower from north. Will feel as cold as -15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Dropping from north to between 500 and 750m.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 12th February 2026
Last updated
Mon 9th Feb 26 at
4:07PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East-northeasterly 35-50mph, trending northeasterly with time, easing slightly.
Effect of the wind on you?
Greatest chance of challenging conditions and severe wind chill early, may improve but staying blustery.
How Wet?
Snow, turning showery
Morning snow, most over the high Cairngorms and eastern hills. The snow breaks into showers from the north, some reaching towards Strathspey/Monadhliath, southern slopes often dry.
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?
Sun bursts increasingly break out south of the Cairngorm plateau, rarer in the north. Often very good visibility where away from snow showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-5C (to -8C on highest summits). Feeling like -20 to -25C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Frost to glen level likely widespread from dawn.
Planning Outlook
Becoming colder for all areas during this week, with much mountain terrain frozen again to increasingly lower elevations - soonest toward the north and east of Scotland. East to northeasterly winds in the second half of the week, turning northerly toward the weekend - 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.