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 hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail, at times falling toward lower elevations.
Cold
Near or below freezing on highest terrain all day. Considerable or significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Prepare for winter conditions - suitable protective clothing required.
Winter kit required on higher mountains
Snow cover over higher mountain terrain. Safe progress around some tops and ridges will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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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 hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail, at times falling toward lower elevations.
Cold
Near or below freezing on highest terrain all day. Considerable or significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Prepare for winter conditions - suitable protective clothing required.
Winter kit required on higher mountains
Snow cover over higher mountain terrain. Safe progress around some tops and ridges will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 19th April 2024
Last updated
Thu 18th Apr 24 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Brisk northwesterly winds, strongest in the morning for most places, giving considerable chill factor across higher terrain. Plenty of dry and bright weather with well broken cloud often above many summits. Isolated showers in Scotland and Wales fading. A few showers continuing for south Pennines into afternoon.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Chilly winds. Brief snow showers. cloud breaks and sun.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 30 to 45mph, tending to ease slightly during day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Considerable buffeting and wind chill on exposed higher terrain in morning, lessening gradually afternoon.
How Wet?
Showers for a time
Brief snow or hail showers coming in from the northwest in the morning tending to fade to scattered flurries then largely dry into the afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting above many tops
Patchy cloud drifting over higher slopes for a few hours in the morning, but lifting toward or above many summits into afternoon. Patches may come and go on higher northern Cairngorms.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Broken cloud and sun. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C rising to 0 or +1C. Wind chill feeling like -10C or below in strongest wind in morning.
Freezing Level
700 rising to 900-1000m, locally higher toward southwestern Cairngorms in afternoon.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 20th April 2024
Last updated
Thu 18th Apr 24 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 15 to 25mph, typically strongest toward northeast Cairngorms NP, locally gusty around elevated passes.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, locally feeling blustery at times around some tops.
How Wet?
Risk drizzly rain forming
Occasional spots of drizzle developing from the west, may become steadier drizzly rain in north later in day.
Cloud on the hills?
Banks on some higher tops
A little patchy cloud in morning, but some hills clear for several hours. Some banks of cloud drifting onto higher slopes for periods, mainly toward north.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some early sun, but giving way to cloudier skies from west. Deeside to Glen Garry may keep occasional sun. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C rising to 5C. Feeling like -5C if exposed to breeze early in day, and still sub-zero in afternoon.
Freezing Level
Frost in sheltered glens and near freezing on some higher slopes at first. Lifting above freezing to all tops.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 21st April 2024
Last updated
Thu 18th Apr 24 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable and mostly low speeds, 10-15mph or less.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small
How Wet?
Little precipitation
Risk local pockets of drizzle mainly toward north and east in the morning. Chance of an isolated brief shower forming, perhaps a snow flurry on tops.
Cloud on the hills?
Covering some slopes, may lift
Banks of cloud around higher slopes in the morning, especially toward north and east where may linger. Some breaks forming toward the tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly cloudy, but some sun breaking through. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around 5C, locally 7C by afternoon.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
High pressure builds into the weekend bringing mostly dry conditions, lighter winds and mountain temperatures generally above freezing. On Saturday, low cloud and patchy drizzle northwest Scotland. A chilly north to northeasterly breeze for England and Wales, particularly Sunday. Into next week, high pressure stays nearby, initially centred toward the northwest, bringing sunny spells and scattered light showers. Lower temperatures by midweek, near or below freezing over higher terrain, coldest toward the east. Looking more widely showery by late week, again with upland snow, plus hail.