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
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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.
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.
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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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.
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.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 10th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 9th Dec 25 at
4:05PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Storm-force winds continue over Scottish mountains, beware of storm damage and blocked routes. Gales remain severe over high terrain in northern England and tops in north Wales. Showery rain, hail and on higher tops snow in the Highlands, near-constant in the west. Bands of showers northern England, fewer for Wales.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Storm-force upland winds. Rain most frequent SW areas.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 55 to 70mph, often 80mph higher tops particularly Cairngorm plateau, gusts here may exceed 100mph mainly up to dawn, but may re-strengthen somewhat during afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult walking conditions from mid elevations upward, general mobility very challenging in exposure, severe over higher mountains; significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers mostly west, snow tops
Showery precipitation most common toward Drumochter and Ben Alder, falling as snow above 1000m mainly morning, possible hail.
Cloud on the hills?
Frequently on tops
Cloud base constantly changing, but often capping higher slopes, particularly toward western Cairngorms and west of A9.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun mostly north and east. Slight haze, visibility reduced further around showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C, rising slightly into evening-night. Wind chill feeling near to -15C.
Freezing Level
1100 to 1200m, lifting up to higher summits or just above by dusk onward.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 11th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 9th Dec 25 at
4:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southwesterly 40 to 60mph, some uncertainty of duration of peak speed, but risk 70mph higher Cairngorms.
Effect of the wind on you?
Widely arduous, but likely more difficult or severe conditions ongoing on higher mountains.
How Wet?
Little or no rain until later
Spots of rain in the wind at times, but amounting to little, toward east more often dry all day. During afternoon through to dusk, some steadier rain may develop from west.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly southern areas
Banks of cloud on some slopes, most common Drumochter around to some areas accessed from Braemar, may cling over tops. Good breaks northward. Lowering in west if rain arrives later.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little sun mostly toward north. Slight haze possible, but mostly good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4C, may start to drop into evening or night. Feeling near -10C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 12th December 2025
Last updated
Tue 9th Dec 25 at
4:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 15-20mph from dawn, stronger pre-dawn. Strengthening gradually, 35-45mph over tops by dark.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small in the morning through walking increasingly strenuous with wind chill as the day goes.
How Wet?
Morning rain passes east, dry afternoon
Rain before dawn with snow on the high tops passes to the east, clearing most areas soon after sunrise. Rain lingers longer in the east, then no rain afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Isolating largely to the high Cairngorms
High Cairngorms in cloud from dawn with some ragged patches lower down, these soon dissipating. Much of the cloud will clear though caps will drift over high Cairngorms at times, a few lower banks possible on southern slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Often sunny on northern and lower southern slopes. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 or 3C, lowering to 1C; staying slightly warmer for a time east hills. Feeling like -13C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
1200m at dawn, gradually lowering to 900-1000m.
Planning Outlook
Staying unsettled as southwesterly winds prevail and low pressure systems pass to the northwest of Scotland; sustained gales over the mountains, severe or stormy for periods. Temperatures only just below freezing intermittently on higher Scottish tops, even here will experience spells above freezing with thawing, any lying snow patchy, but beware some icy surfaces on the very highest tops where some refreezing occurs. Driest in eastern areas on Thursday, otherwise rainfall will be frequent and heavy, sometimes showery with hail. Expect wet ground conditions and further flooding of streams and some rivers.