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
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
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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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
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
Monday 9th February 2026
Last updated
Sun 8th Feb 26 at
7:22PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Overall very little change with occasional rain, or on higher slopes in Scotland, snow. Fog persistent on nearly all mountain areas. The wind continuing fairly light. Wales will from the southwest become windy with pulses of showery rain.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Light wind; a few pockets of rain, or snow higher slopes. Persistent fog.
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southeasterly 15mph to 20mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small
How Wet?
Precipitation, mostly light, here and there. Total rainfall small.
Occasional drizzle and rain, or above 700m snow (often only flurries). Locally precipitation lasting an hour or so but total precipitation small.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistent fog
Generally, persistent fog above 500 to 700m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil
Sunshine and air clarity?
Widely misty and murky. Very poor visibility in snow. Isolated pockets of sun lower slopes near Cairngorms.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0C
Freezing Level
800 to 1000m.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 10th February 2026
Last updated
Sun 8th Feb 26 at
7:22PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southeasterly between 30 and 40mph
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking increasingly arduous with height: here and there sudden gusts reaching lower slopes northwest of major summits. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain and snow frequently
Rain, drizzle or above about 600m snow. May well rarely cease most of region although total precipitation small Monadhliath.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistent fog
Persistent fog above 300 to 450m, although a little higher west of A9, perhaps 600m Monadhliath.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil
Sunshine and air clarity?
Dull and murky.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C Will feel near -12C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Between 800 to 1050m
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 11th February 2026
Last updated
Sun 8th Feb 26 at
7:22PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Confidence in forecast is low: Easterly in the range 25 to 40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Widely arduous or difficult walking and significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow; probably almost constant
Frequent or constant snow much of region, although mostly rain valleys. Generally lightest and most patchy snow will be near and west of A9.
Cloud on the hills?
Blanket of fog across the mountains
Most hills persistently cloud covered above 400 to 600m - or probably lower Deeside.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Almost nil
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine not expected. Very poor or appalling visibility in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 to -3C: tending to lower from north. Will feel as cold as minus 15C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Dropping from north to between 500 and 750m.
Planning Outlook
A change from mid week as a low centre crosses Britain bringing stronger wind and initially rain. But precipitation will turn to snow Scottish Highlands on Wednesday then progressively southwards into England and Wales on Thursday - with most terrain frozen and fresh snow lying on most mountains by Friday morning. Cold 'winter' conditions will then persist through next weekend.