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
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.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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
Wednesday 26th November 2025
Last updated
Tue 25th Nov 25 at
3:06PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Scotland: Southerly gales with hill fog extend east to become very extensive with rain and drizzle; transient snow upper slopes. England and Wales: Strengthening southerly winds with hills filling in with low cloud with patchy rain and drizzle.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Dry start, hills initially clear, before hill fog moves in with patchy rain and snow. Gales for a time.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to south-westerly soon 45 to 55mph. Will veer more westerly late in day and ease a little.
Effect of the wind on you?
Some easing through afternoon, 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 generally light northern Cairngorms NP; very little at all Deeside.
Cloud on the hills?
Becoming very extensive higher areas
Some higher slopes initially cloud free, especially easternmost hills. 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?
60% at first, dropping to less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Pockets of weak sun lower slopes near Cairngorms; otherwise gradually becoming extensively dull and misty.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C rising to 3C through daylight. Will feel as cold as minus 14C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
750m morning; gradually transitioning to above the summits. Frost into glens at dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 27th November 2025
Last updated
Tue 25th Nov 25 at
3:06PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly, strengthening through day, & quickly with height to widely 60mph where exposed on higher tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe wind chill and walking difficult. Where exposed on higher areas, generally mobility a struggle.
How Wet?
Rain on and off
Pulses of rain, most frequent Ben Alder and southern Cairngorms NP, very little toward Deeside.
Cloud on the hills?
Mountains persistently foggy.
Persistent cloud from 300 to 550m Ben Alder and southern Cairngorms NP. Elsewhere, cloud base between 600m and 1000m (generally highest Deeside and near Cairngorm ski centre).
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare glimpses of weak sun lower slopes northernmost Cairngorms/Deeside. Visibility widely poor in rain; otherwise hazy.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C. Will feel as cold as minus18C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 28th November 2025
Last updated
Tue 25th Nov 25 at
3:06PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 50 to 70mph, perhaps topping 80mph for a time over northern tops in the morning.
Effect of the wind on you?
Extensively difficult or very difficult conditions with severe wind chill and buffeting. Strong gusts into glens.
How Wet?
Showers increasingly, snow upper slopes.
Showers increasingly moving in. Most widely to hills from Ben Alder to Drumochter. Snow above 700m or so. Few reaching eastern hills.
Cloud on the hills?
Occasional covering tops
Bases varying markedly, but extensively covering tops Ben Alder to Drumochter. More on and off tops elsewhere, down to 700-800m in showers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun, perhaps frequent in east. Visibility ranging from very good, to poor or very poor in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C
Freezing Level
800-900m
Planning Outlook
A long series of Atlantic lows passing north of or across Britain will bring high rainfall to western mountains together with frequent upland gales (sometimes stormy) and low cloud. Temperatures on higher tops sometimes below freezing point, particularly at the weekend in Scotland, but elsewhere fresh snow transient.