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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 11th November 2025
Last updated
Mon 10th Nov 25 at
4:07PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Rain from dawn in Wales soon spreads widely into England and southern Scotland, setting in for several hours; nearly constant all day for Lakeland and Galloway hills. Widespread gales as well, severe in Wales. A drier start for Scottish Highlands, though rain will spread from the south afternoon with strengthening wind.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Increasingly windy, risk gales later; afternoon rain
How windy? (On the Munros)
South or southeasterly, 15-20mph from dawn. Speed likely to strengthen during daytime to a gusty 25 to 35mph, more likely southeasterly. Risk 40-50mph over Cairngorms into nighttime, though speeds will vary.
Effect of the wind on you?
Expect increasingly blustery conditions, soon affecting comfortable walking with gusts challenging balance on some downslopes toward north. Conditions may become difficult into nighttime.
How Wet?
Afternoon rain develops, heaviest south
The morning will be dry. Rain pushing in from the south afternoon, likely becoming fairly persistent, heaviest toward south. Generally patchier north of the Cairngorm plateau, but becoming persistent here too after dark.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly south early, becoming extensive
Varied cloud banks over hills early in day, low patches on southern Cairngorms; highest breaks near Strathspey, possibly much cloud above northern Monadhliath hills. As rain sets in, cloud lowering over higher slopes, to 600-800m south.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% north, dropping to 20% south
Sunshine and air clarity?
Weak morning sun in the north soon starts giving way to overcast skies. Visibility good if dry for a time, mostly likely on northern slopes, reducing to become poor in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3C rising during afternoon to 5C, then from dusk 7C; temperatures stay slightly cooler over Monadhliath. Only small fall with height. Feeling like -5C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
1300m overnight, but by dawn soon well above the tops.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 12th November 2025
Last updated
Mon 10th Nov 25 at
4:07PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
SW'ly then later a gusty NE'ly, 20-35mph. Speed and direction may vary considerably, possibly a lull developing.
Effect of the wind on you?
Beware changing conditions: occasionally small, but risk very blustery for periods with notable wind chill.
How Wet?
Risk of ongoing rain
Persistent overnight rain leaving wet ground and fast-flowing streams. Rain may continue into daytime, possibly fading for a time, then returning especially across more northern parts of the region.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Shrouding the mountains widely, banks of cloud at varied elevations, in places to some lower slopes. Higher bases and local breaks toward Deeside.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast, dull with poor visibility in rain. Some brighter areas possible with local good visibility, but expect lingering areas of mist.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 or 4C, a slight drop on the northern slopes later. Feeling like -5C if in stronger wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but tending to lower onto highest tops around dusk, lowering further into night.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 13th November 2025
Last updated
Mon 10th Nov 25 at
4:07PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northeasterly 30-45mph at dawn, strongest on southern mountains. Easing from the north to 25-35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking starts arduous with buffeting and wind chill. Conditions easing, though remaining uncomfortable.
How Wet?
Snow showers from the north
Detail uncertain: A risk of a broad area of rain in the morning, falling as snow above 600-700m, breaking into a steady stream of snow showers drifting onto northern slopes from the sea. These may ease later.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly high tops and northern slopes
Fairly extensive over high ground from dawn with variable bases as low as 600m. Will tend to break, though high tops of the Cairngorms likely shrouded all day with banks drifting down northern slopes to 700-900m; highest northern Monadhliath tops will struggle to clear as well.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine increasingly breaking out, particularly on low slopes in the north. Visibility variable: poor in snow/rain but very good during dry periods.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or -1C, always coolest on northern slopes. Feeling like -10 to -13C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
800-900m.
Planning Outlook
Periods of heavy rain for many over several day; further flooding for Wales, the Lakes and southwest Scotland. Cooler than recently in Scotland with freezing levels lowering to most high terrain, snow showers falling on high terrain from the north; remaining generally mild England and Wales by day and night. Later in the week and into the weekend, high pressure draws colder air into Scotland and progressively further south into England and Wales over the weekend. Strong easterlies are likely over England and Wales and conditions will be largely dry with some clear hills and sunny bursts; overnight frosts likely widespread in Scotland. The weather regime the following week is uncertain but first indications suggest more unsettled weather.