Scotland weather: Cold, wet and windy August ahead

SCOTLAND faces a cool August as Atlantic weather fronts bring strong winds and heavy rain, forecasters have warned.
Jin-Young Ko of South Korea wraps up against the elements at the Womens British Open in Turnberry yesterday. Picture: GettyJin-Young Ko of South Korea wraps up against the elements at the Womens British Open in Turnberry yesterday. Picture: Getty
Jin-Young Ko of South Korea wraps up against the elements at the Womens British Open in Turnberry yesterday. Picture: Getty

The Met Office has said that the colder than normal conditions risk continuing until October.

Cool summer Atlantic sea temperatures – the coldest for years – will usher cooler air towards Scotland, forecasters said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A stream of Atlantic weather systems, which bring stronger winds and rain are expected because of the position of ocean air pressure patterns, forecasters said.

Three inches of rain is the most likely UK average rainfall total for August, forecasts show. The projected total is slightly below average.

The Met Office warned of the risk of cool temperatures continuing in September and October. Forecasters said there was a one in five chance of much colder-than-average temperatures over the next three months. July began with Scotland’s hottest early summer day since 1976 but washouts and strong winds followed, putting 2015 on track to be the windiest year in 20 years.

The Met Office August to October contingency forecast, being briefed to businesses, government, councils, and emergency services, said: “Near to below-average temperatures are most likely for August.

“North Atlantic sea surface temperatures south of Greenland and in the tropics are colder than recent years, lending support to the increased likelihood to below-average temperatures during August.”

It is less clear whether below-average temperatures are likely beyond August.

“The probability of August-October average temperatures in the coldest category is around 20 per cent,” the report said.

Matt Roe, a weather forecaster for the Met Office based in Aberdeen, said: “Most places saw some rain on Saturday and for the rest of this week it’s looking quite unsettled, with further spells of rain to come, particularly across the west.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It will be fairly windy at times as well along the west coast, where we could see winds of 50mph tomorrow into Wednesday along exposed coasts.”

He continued: “Looking further ahead into the rest of 
August it’s looking fairly changeable, with further spells of rain to come. There are no signs of any prolonged summer weather.”

However, there was a glimmer of hope for the east coast as Roe said: “The east and the south east will see the best of any drier weather.”

He added that some places in Scotland had experienced their wettest July since records began 25 years ago.

Salsburgh in Lanarkshire had its wettest July, with 201mm of rain falling, as did Strathallan, in Perthshire, with 158mm.

Related topics: