Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Monday'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.
Heavy snow
Continuous or almost constant heavy snowfall, large flakes falling to low elevations. Beware of near-zero visibility from falling or blowing snow, risk of blizzard conditions.
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.
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.
Heavy snow
Continuous or almost constant heavy snowfall, large flakes falling to low elevations. Beware of near-zero visibility from falling or blowing snow, risk of blizzard conditions.
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.
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
Monday 24th November 2025
Last updated
Sun 23rd Nov 25 at
1:59PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Turning cold from north and extensively windy behind an area of low pressure centred over SE England. Snow and hail showers will affect N & E Scotland, whilst further south patchy rain (sleet highest summits), but total rainfall small.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Snow and hail showers, very frequent Cairngorms; windy.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly, 30 or 35mph.perhaps 40mph Cairngorms east to Lochnagar morning. Will ease slowly afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking arduous, sometimes difficult, particularly near precipitation, where in sudden gusts balance challenging.
How Wet?
Frequent snow and hail, particularly Cairngorms NP.
Frequent hail or snow showers above 400m, Cairngorms and Deeside, where precipitation at times almost constant, giving whiteout. Fewer showers southern summits in Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath and only the odd flurry toward Ben Alder.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensively covering higher areas; highest cloud base toward south
Cairngorms east to Lochnagar: cloud base varying as showers coming and going: typically 600m, but shafts of cloud below 400m near precipitation. Higher cloud base elsewhere, where 600 to 900m but east toward Ben Alder, 900 to 1100m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sunshine, mainly or only southern summits in Cairngorms NP east to Ben Alder. Very poor or appalling visibility in snow, but otherwise, very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C; dropping marginally through the day. Will feel as cold as minus 12C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
900m dropping from north toward 700m. Risk slight frost some valleys after dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 25th November 2025
Last updated
Sun 23rd Nov 25 at
1:59PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northerly 30 to perhaps 40mph, gradually easing to 15 to 20mph and toward dusk backing westerly.
Effect of the wind on you?
Considerable buffeting and wind chill after dawn, but will become small through afternoon.
How Wet?
Snow/hail showers mainly Cairngorms
Showers, of hail or snow above about 400m, mainly Cairngorms and Deeside in morning. Rare if any flurries elsewhere.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied; some higher tops clearing, most remaining in cloud.
Generally, cloud base 700 to 900m - the cloud widespread Cairngorms eastward until afternoon. Elsewhere, cloud will lift off some higher summits, but could will come and go above bout 1050m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% Cairngorms to 40% elsewhere
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of bright sunshine, though little sun east from Cairngorms. The air very clear so excellent visibility, but fog frequently on higher slopes.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C
Freezing Level
Around 750m, rising slowly through day. Some frozen ground lower slopes after frost in valleys.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 26th November 2025
Last updated
Sun 23rd Nov 25 at
1:59PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly soon 45 to 55mph. Will veer more westerly late in day and ease a little.
Effect of the wind on you?
Some easing through day, but extensively difficult walking where exposed with powerful gusts and considerable wind chill
How Wet?
Rain and drizzle now and again
Rain and drizzle spreading east morning (snow above 700m for a few hours). The rain off and on and light northern Cairngorms NP; very little at all Deeside.
Cloud on the hills?
Becoming very extensive higher areas
Some higher slopes initially cloud free. Will gradually deteriorate as cloud forms above 450 to 600m east from Ben Alder to S Cairngorms NP; but 700 to 1000m elsewhere, highest Deeside and near Cairngorm ski centre.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Dropping to less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patches of weak sun lower slopes near Cairngorms; otherwise gradually becoming extensively dull and misty.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C rising slowly to 3C. Will feel as cold as minus 14C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
750m morning; gradually transitioning to above the summits. Frost many valleys at dawn.
Planning Outlook
As a series of deep Atlantic lows pass north of or across Britain, rainfall be become high particularly on western mountains together with frequent upland gales and low cloud. In Scotland, temperatures on the Munros will sometimes be below freezing point, but fresh snow transient, whereas elsewhere, snow rare, if any.