Scotland’s weather: Siberian blast brings minus 6˚C chill
SCOTLAND is about to be hit with the coldest February on record, with temperatures as low as –6C in some areas, forecasters warn.
After a far milder winter than the past two years, bookmakers have slashed the odds on temperatures plummeting next month.
Ladbrokes is offering a miserly 3-1 that February will be the coldest on record and 7-1 on the Six Nations rugby clash between Scotland and England, at Murrayfield next Saturday being postponed because of the weather.
The reason for the forecasts is an icy blast making its way to the UK from Siberia.
That will see night temperatures in many parts of the country plunge.
Alex Donohue, spokesman for Ladbrokes, said: “The imminent Siberian chill has whipped punters into a betting frenzy.
“We’ve had to slash the odds and take evasive action, as all signs point to a freezing February. The odds suggest the snow will wreak havoc.”
The Met Office has urged drivers to be careful, with roads likely to become treacherous.
Temperatures are expected to drop dramatically tonight, with patches of snow on the hills.
The Met Office said the icy temperatures, combined with a build-up of snow and slush, which fell on Thursday and yesterday, would make driving difficult.
Peter Sloss, of the Met Office in Aberdeen, said: “We’ve issued a warning for the whole of Scotland because of widespread frost. Temperatures will be sub-zero across Scotland.”
Tonight, temperatures could drop as low as –6C in high and exposed areas, with Glasgow and Edinburgh also well below freezing at –2C, and showers in the north.
South of the Border, too, it will be becoming increasingly cold, Chris Burton, forecaster with Meteogroup, said: “It is cold enough for sleet and snow in the higher ground, such as the Pennines and the Lake District.
“It’s looking like it will get increasingly cold through the weekend and into next week.”
Experts said high pressure from eastern Europe could clash with rain from the Atlantic to create snow on higher ground.
More wintry showers could fall in western areas of Scotland, tomorrow, with temperatures again predicted to drop below zero overnight.
Yesterday, a yellow warning issued by the Met Office advised motorists to “be alert” – saying conditions on the roads could be potentially dangerous.
The warning on its website said: “Icy stretches are expected to form on untreated surfaces, especially in places affected by showers. The showers will fall as snow above about 250m, but there may be temporary slush deposits to lower levels.”
The Met Office added: “The public should be aware of possible travel disruption.”
Snowfall and icy conditions in the west of Scotland yesterday caused problems for some motorists, with one report of a car skidding off the road at the A832 at Glascarnoch.
And forecasters warned that the change in temperature might herald freezing conditions in February.
The Met Office said: “In the early part of February high pressure to the east could bring frosty weather across the British Isles.”
Yesterday, after flurries across southern Scotland in the morning, the snow moved south to Cumbria and northern England.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Family mourn death of Glasgow ‘fight’ schoolboy
- Rangers takeover: Duff & Phelps threaten legal action against BBC
- Today’s youth not fit to be employed, says car firm Arnold Clark
- Rangers administration: Fans fear Duff & Phelps claims could scare off Green
- Rangers takeover: triple penalty punishment enough, says Johnston
- Alistair Darling leads ‘No to independence’ fight over tea and biscuits
- Scottish independence: SNP flip-flops over Nato
- Scottish Independence: SNP ‘won’t be Yes campaign’s only voice’
- Scottish independence: Alex Salmond’s pledge to sign up 1m voters
- Today’s youth not fit to be employed, says car firm Arnold Clark
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Edinburgh
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Comments
There are 10 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
almorr
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 05:19 PM-6 Cold, you don't know what cold is! If you were living in Fairbanks, Alaska, you would have experienced temperatures of nearly -50 Centigrade, now that is very cold and frigid, -6 in Fairbanks is a heatwave. I do not think Scotland is in for the coldest February ever, about average.
Chappit Tatties
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 07:33 AMJust checked the Met Office forecast for Aviemore which shows the lowest predicted temp for this week being Tuesday night at -3. Very strange article indeed!
Ted & Janet
Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 12:32 AMHere in SW Ontario, it has been a very mild Winter with hardly any Snow, today we got more Snow due to the Winds from the West picking up Water from the Great Lakes which are not frozen over yet! A lot of Farmers who clear Snow will be happy with this Snow, not so the drivers, but most of us use Snow wheels every Winter, not mandatory here in Ontario but expect this may change next Winter with the amount of accidents reported like one every two minutes, in Quebec Province they are required by Dec.15th!
Nik
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 11:13 AMUmm..... coldest February, with temps of -6C? Rubbish journalism, as usual.
Slioch.
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 09:24 AM"SCOTLAND is about to be hit with the coldest February on record, with temperatures as low as –6C in some areas, forecasters warn." ...................................................................... Really??? Does the journalist, Claire Smith, think that temperatures as low as -6C constitute something unusual??? And to which forecasters does she refer? Maybe Ladbrooks the bookies, but certainly not the MET Office, who state the following: .................................................................................................. "UK Outlook for Wednesday 1 Feb 2012 to Friday 10 Feb 2012: Although there is a lot of uncertainty, eastern and central areas will most likely see clear or sunny spells, and scattered light wintry showers. At the same time westernmost areas will probably see more cloud, with occasional rain and sometimes snow on hills. Temperatures will probably be below average, and windchill will make it feel colder still when exposed to the easterly winds. Towards the end of the week and through the rest of the period, a general continuation of the cold weather seems likely. There is a risk of snow, ice and sharp frosts, with central and eastern areas being most prone. However, milder conditions may well push into the north and west at times. Updated: 1230 on Fri 27 Jan 2012" ................................................................................................................... "UK Outlook for Saturday 11 Feb 2012 to Saturday 25 Feb 2012: Cold weather looks likely during this period, with both daytime maximum and nighttime minimum temperatures likely to be below or well below average in southern areas, and still below average in the north. Rainfall amounts should be around average in northern areas, with some snow at times. Further south rainfall is likely to be above average with some prolonged spells of rain possible, with also a risk of some significant falls of snow. Sunshine amounts will probably be around or slightly above average." Updated: 1407 on Fri 27 Jan 2012" See: http:\\www.metoffice.gov.uk\weather\uk\uk_forecast_alltext.html (replace backward slaskes with forward). ........................................................................................................... No hint there from the MET Office of "the coldest February on record". Yet, I'm quite sure that if, in a few months time, the subject of the then last winter is raised, someone will say something like "The Met Office predicted the coldest ever February and nothing very unusual happened", and so another small victory for the anti-science brigade will have been achieved by lazy irresponsible journalism looking for a startling headline. ............................... But, if anyone can actually find a forecast, from anywhere, that February will be the coldest ever in Scotland, then by all means let us know - I haven't looked very hard, but there is certainly no reference to any in the above piece of journalistic hype.
Hector the Lessor
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 08:48 AMCheez we had minus 2C last year, but I think it was during the night. Snow down to 250 metres is pretty common during the Spring, or up in the plateau all year. It is all due to the wind direction. I cannot unfortunately compare it with Scottish weather, but seem to remember that was why I left the Old Country in the first place.
McNasty
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 08:10 AMWhen it comes mixed with snow and wind like last year it becomes even worse.
Harvey Mushman
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 06:01 AM#2..... Excellent...
Rob Da Bruce
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 01:20 AMJeez those are warm days....looking from where I am in Canada the latest from here.... Environment Canada has issued a travel warning due to the cold weather. They suggest that anyone travelling in the current icy conditions should make sure they have the following: ... Shovel Blankets or sleeping bag Extra clothing including hat and gloves 24 hours worth of food De-Icer Rock Salt Flashlight with spare batteries Road Flares or Reflective Triangles Empty gas Can First Aid Kit Booster cables I looked like a bloody idiot on the bus this morning!
Charles Linskaill
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 01:13 AMForetold, Forewarned, Is a good place to start, So be Prepared!, However please look out for our elderly who are our most vulnerable, many cant afford to heat their homes because of our Greedy Energy Companies Grotesque profit making, which charge us far too much to heat our homes.
Page 1 of 1
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.