Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Sunday's Forecast
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
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.
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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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
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.
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
Sunday 22nd February 2026
Last updated
Sat 21st Feb 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Showery southwesterlies, extensively gale force over higher terrain with significant chill factor. Rain and hail, snow falling above 900m in Scotland, most frequent west coastal areas. Fewer showers eastward across Scotland and for England & Wales, with some cloud breaks toward tops.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Upland gales. Occasional showers mostly west.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40 to 55mph, squally gusts in showers, at times 60mph on higher Cairngorms.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions over the mountains, frequent buffeting making walking arduous in exposure. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery rain and hail, snow high tops
Showers spreading in from the west, frequent at times west of the A9, fewer toward Deeside, locally heavy with hail, snow falling above 900-1000m. More constant heavier precipitation into night in areas near Drumochter.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly higher tops, breaks east
Most cloud often above 900m, most persistent west of the A9. Higher bases eastward, but frequently capping higher Cairngorms above 1100m. Clearing tops most often in east.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun, mostly toward east. Visibility often very good, but reduced to occasionally poor in showers in west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C. Wind chill feeling like -12 to -15C on tops.
Freezing Level
1000 to 1200m, highest toward east.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 23rd February 2026
Last updated
Sat 21st Feb 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to southwesterly 50 to 60mph early morning, easing gradually, to 30mph or less by dusk. Increasing again into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions on high terrain at least in the morning, slowly moderating with time. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers mostly west in morning
Showery precipitation from overnight into early morning, mostly near and west of the A9, possible hail, snow above 900m. Fading during morning to lighter showers, drier afternoon. Then rain develops from southwest into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Patches higher and western tops
Broken cloud drifting over higher tops in the morning, most common toward west of Cairngorm plateau, mostly above 900m. Good breaks higher up eastward. Many hills may clear for several hours.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun, best in east. Visibility mostly very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 or 2C, then rising slightly into night. Feeling like -15 to -18C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
1000 to 1100m, marginal rise during day, then lifting above the summits into night.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 24th February 2026
Last updated
Sat 21st Feb 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40 to 50mph, often 60mph higher Cairngorms.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking over the mountains, difficult in places higher up. Significant wind chill despite milder air.
How Wet?
A little rain
Patchy rain and drizzle, most persistent Ben Alder to southern Cairngorms. Small amounts northeastward, mostly spots in the wind. Wet underfoot where snow melts.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive higher areas
Covering most higher terrain, lowest cloud base near Drumochter, 600 to 800m, higher northward with some breaks.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, some brighter skies with sun through high cloud north of Cairngorms where visibility good. Hazier south, misty around some hills.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 to 5C. In exposure to wind, feeling like -8 to -10C.
Freezing Level
Above all summits with thawing toward upper slopes.
Planning Outlook
West to southwesterly winds prevail during the week ahead as areas of low pressure move toward northwest Scotland whilst ridges of higher pressure occasionally nudge across southern Britain. Sustained gales over the mountains, only brief lulls. Temperatures will fluctuate above and below freezing on higher Scottish mountains, with periods of thaw and refreezing. England and Wales generally above freezing to tops with a substantial thaw of most upland snow. Frequent rainfall, often heavy over western mountains, at times showery with hail, some snow on Scottish Munros. The final days of February favour colder northwesterly air and a drop of freezing level.