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.
Snow
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
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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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.
Snow
Snowfall continuous or frequent over the mountains, beware of conditions becoming challenging on higher terrain. At lower elevations falling as rain.
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
Friday 30th January 2026
Last updated
Thu 29th Jan 26 at
3:55PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales for northern England and Scotland all day with powerful gusts over tops and downslope to the northwest. Several hours of snow in these regions as well, passing from west-to-east with time, the snow level lifting to mid-slopes; northwest Scotland mostly dry and bright. Blustery in Wales, most of the rain south/east.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Gales, powerful gusts; snow on south and east Cairngorms
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 40 to 50mph, strongest over higher Cairngorms with powerful gusts up to 55mph or higher, these pushing well-downslope.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions in exposure, strongest gusts making stability difficult and limiting mobility, this gustiness reaching downslope too.
How Wet?
Snow mostly southeast and afternoon
Snow flurries most common over south and eastern Cairngorms NP. Very little reaching north and west of Strathspey. The snow becomes more steady midday/afternoon, reaching Drumochter, heaviest falls on slopes accessed from Deeside.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, breaks to the northwest
Shrouding most of the Cairngorms, to some mid slopes near Deeside. Higher bases to 800-900m north of Drumochter, high terrain of north Monadhliath may be often clear of cloud.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%, to 60% northern Monadhliath.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some sun glimpses over the Monadhliath, visibility good out of cloud, but turning cloudy from the south. Cloudy, mistier further south/east; whiteout conditions more likely afternoon in fog over snow on the Cairngorm plateau.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C (to -6C high Cairngorms at dawn), rising a degree with time. Wind chill feeling like -13 to -17C.
Freezing Level
400 to 600m, slight rise during daytime, particularly west of Cairngorms to more widely 600m, locally higher to the west.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 31st January 2026
Last updated
Thu 29th Jan 26 at
3:55PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East-southeasterly 30-40mph, some stronger gusts over the eastern high tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking strenuous-to-arduous in exposure, considerable buffeting challenging stability. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow flurries east and south Cairngorms
Snow flurries affecting the east and southern Cairngorm plateau most of the day. Largely dry near and west of Strathspey, only odd flurries reaching here.
Cloud on the hills?
High terrain shrouded and often lower
A blanket of cloud shrouds the Cairngorm plateau and hills accessed from the east/Deeside to middle or lower slopes. Bases may reach up towards 800-900m over Monadhliath at times, though also filling in for periods.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine expected. Often poor visibility east in precipitation and haze, locally improving west for periods.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2 or -3C early, rising to around -1C afternoon. Feeling like -12 to -15C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
400-600m, the lowest levels on eastern mountains. Rising to around 600-700m, locally higher on southernmost slopes.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 1st February 2026
Last updated
Thu 29th Jan 26 at
3:55PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly 30-40mph, strongest east and northern hills, strong gusts too. May ease with time, but confidence is low.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking strenuous-to-arduous in exposure most of the day; buffeting will challenge stability. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Patchy snow south and east, rain lower
Patches of snow affecting Cairngorms accessed from Deeside and easternmost hills, falling as rain below about 700m. Odd patches will reach Drumochter, Monadhliath likely stays dry.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Cloud shrouds the Cairngorm plateau all day, slopes accessed by Deeside often shrouded to middle slopes as well. Higher bases and more variable Strathspey and west, may rise towards summits at times.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine. Very poor visibility in snow, whiteout conditions on high terrain; better towards the west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C. Feeling like -10 to -15C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Around 800-900m, though some variability, generally higher on Monadhliath.
Planning Outlook
Unsettled this weekend: often cloudy and patchy rain for most. Variable winds cause rapid local changes in cloud amounts, rain, and impact on walking. The freezing level may lift somewhat, isolating snowfalls to higher Scottish terrain. In the coming week, periods of precipitation and wind will affect most mountains at least every few days. Scottish Munros generally below freezing point, with snow cover and drifts most substantial from the Cairngorms to central and southern Highlands, some additional falls in the week ahead (with continued flooding risk too); much less precipitation northwestward. Hills in England and Wales may see a period of freezing levels above the summits as a southerly flow brings slightly milder air to the country. An indication of colder easterlies in February, though detail is very uncertain.