Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Friday'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.
Winter sunshine
Bright and crisp with sunshine most of the day and the mountains generally free of cloud.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
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.
Winter sunshine
Bright and crisp with sunshine most of the day and the mountains generally free of cloud.
Clear
Excellent or superb visibility, no navigation issues.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 13th November 2026
Last updated
Thu 12th Nov 26 at
12:05PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Under high pressure most mountain areas fine with sunshine. However, progressively north across Scotland, increasing strong westerly wind will bring snow showers to mainly the NW Highlands and low cloud across western mountains. Much terrain frozen - but freezing level rising through day.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Terrain widely frozen. Wind strengthening toward gale.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly, progressively strengthening from in the range 20-25mph post dawn to 30-40mph before dusk - the strongest winds Cairngorm plateau.
Effect of the wind on you?
Increasingly challenging as sind chill becomes considerable and walking difficult on higher areas, particularly more northern mountains.
How Wet?
Risk snow flurries, probably only west of A9
One or two snow flurries may reach Monadhliath and Ben Alder areas.
Cloud on the hills?
Generally confined to, or above higher areas. Higher cloud base toward east.
Cloud base will be progressively higher and more broken eastwards. Monadhliath and Ben Alder: cloud base typically 700 to 900m, some breaks above. Elsewhere: most cloud above 1100m and near and east of Braemar, summits often cloud free.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% west to 70% east
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun west of A9 to often sunny toward Deeside. Visibility often excellent, but some haze later in day.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C; rising marginally through day. Will feel as cold as minus 10C where exposed.
Freezing Level
Terrain nearly all frozen morning, but slowly a definite freezing level will develop around 700m.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 14th November 2026
Last updated
Thu 12th Nov 26 at
12:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West or southwesterly between 35 and 45mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Increasing buffeting and wind chill becoming considerable with increasing height. Expect balance sometimes to be difficult.
How Wet?
Snow now and again
Occasional snow (turning to rain below 600m). mainly or only west of A9 and Ben Alder east to southern summits in Cairngorms NP. Total rainfall small.
Cloud on the hills?
Most higher mountains foggy. Cloud base highest toward Deeside.
Cloud base typically 650 to 900m west of A9 and Ben Alder east to southern summits in Cairngorms NP. Elsewhere, higher base, mostly 1100m or above north and east from Cairngorm plateau.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine now and again, perhaps sunshine extensive for periods toward Deeside. Mostly good visibility but poor in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C. Will feel as cold as minus 13C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Most terrain initially frozen; thawing starting lower slopes as freezing level rises toward 900m.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 15th November 2026
Last updated
Thu 12th Nov 26 at
12:05PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Very low confidence near centres of low pressure: Varied direction, possible marked lull but anticipate up to 40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Sometimes small, but zones where wind chill significant and walking difficult - these challenging conditions could set in abruptly.
How Wet?
Periods of rain and snow
Areas of precipitation will circulate within general low pressure, perhaps falling as snow to 500m - the change to snow most likely later in day.
Cloud on the hills?
Fog very likely across the mountains all day
Fog in some areas from lower slopes up, and few breaks above750m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine not expected. Regions of very poor appalling visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 to 3C, may abruptly drop to -2C
Freezing Level
Above the summits before threat abrupt change to freezing level of 550m.
Planning Outlook
Pressure will fall over the weekend: a little rain for some western mountains on Saturday, but more widespread rain (snow higher areas Scottish Highlands) on Sunday - albeit the detail for Sunday is unusually uncertain (for a 3 day forecast). Cold often dry conditions will return on Monday, but beyond extensive rain (sometimes snow higher areas) and strong winds probable, although presently Scotland, particularly the Highlands may have only snow showers in the cold air.