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
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
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.
Snowdrifts
Considerable lying snow over the mountains, with substantial drifting in places.
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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+
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.
Snowdrifts
Considerable lying snow over the mountains, with substantial drifting in places.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 27th January 2026
Last updated
Mon 26th Jan 26 at
4:20PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Severe conditions - storm-force winds on mountains, damaging gusts to some lower terrain. Extensive hill snow for N England & S Scotland, snow setting in heavier with time for southern Highlands; blizzard conditions widely, rain only lower slopes. Showery bursts follow in Wales with risk of hail and thunder.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Severe gales. Snow increasingly setting in south; whiteout.
How windy? (On the Munros)
East-southeasterly 50 to 70mph; speeds may reach up to 80mph higher Cairngorms, powerful gusts downslope.
Effect of the wind on you?
Widely difficult conditions - stability and mobility likely only achieved with crouching/crawling. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow, increasingly heavier, particularly in south
Persistent snow over the Cairngorm plateau, towards Drumochter and Deeside, heavier falls set in with time, sustained into afternoon. Smaller amounts reaching west of Strathspey, though persistent snow falling more widely afternoon; sleet or rain below 300-400m.
Cloud on the hills?
High terrain shrouded, lower south
Shrouding the Cairngorm plateau all days, lowest bases towards Deeside which may reach lower slopes during heavier snowfalls. Best of cloud breaks over Drumochter and Monadhliath, up to 800-900m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, though brighter around Strathspey/Monadhliath in morning where visibility good, though a general haze. Whiteout conditions in blowing snow over much higher terrain, to some mid-elevations in south.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C. Feeling like -18 to -23C in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
300-400m, locally above 600-700m some slopes toward N/W of Cairngorms; starting to rise variably into evening-night to 800m.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 28th January 2026
Last updated
Mon 26th Jan 26 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 25 to 40mph, risk 50mph at times higher Cairngorms, gusty in places near northern corries.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting comfortable walking, some buffeting gusts in places. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
A little snow / rain
Snow flurries mostly east, amounts small, rain or sleet up to 700m; patchier or perhaps very little toward Strathspey.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest south
Shrouding much high terrain all day, to some mid-slopes Deeside to Glen Garry. Breaks to some tops Monadhliath.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and dull. Whiteout if in cloud over snow cover; visibility good below cloud in north.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C. Wind chill feeling like -8 to -12C.
Freezing Level
800 to 900m, locally just above freezing on some higher slopes toward Strathspey.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 29th January 2026
Last updated
Mon 26th Jan 26 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East to southeasterly 35 to 40mph, to 50mph on higher Cairngorms, gusty in places west of higher tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging walking on exposed higher terrain, buffeting gusts locally lower down. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow flurries
Snow on and off, mostly light, most frequent south and eastern areas, sleet lower slopes. Rare flurries Monadhliath.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Shrouding higher slopes widely, but often from mid-heights up in east. Higher bases and some breaks westwards near A9.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare if any weak sun, mainly Strathspey. Hazy, poor visibility in snow and difficult navigation on hills if in fog over snow cover.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C. Wind chill feeling like -15 to -18C over higher terrain.
Freezing Level
600 to 700m.
Planning Outlook
Strong east or southeasterly winds likely to prevail onward into early February. Scottish mountains are expected stay below freezing in the extended range, fresh heavy snowfalls giving substantial depths and drifts across south and eastern areas, much less snow northwestward. Hills in England and Wales will see varying freezing levels, sub-zero for periods to 600m or lower, but intermittently lifting just above the tops - a mix of rain and upland snowfall. A generally unsettled pattern with Atlantic lows continuing to frequently circulate over Britain on a southerly track, whilst high pressure resides away to the north.