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Scotland's Wild Weather: From Frost to 20C in Hours!
24 Apr
Summary
- Temperatures in Scotland can swing dramatically within a single day.
- Tomintoul saw a 27C rise, from -7C to 20C, in just nine hours.
- Inland areas experience more extreme temperature fluctuations than coastal regions.
Scotland is currently experiencing significant temperature fluctuations, with inland locations witnessing extreme daily ranges. On Thursday, Tomintoul in Moray recorded a remarkable increase of 27C, soaring from -7C to 20C within nine hours. This dramatic shift is attributed to clear skies and light winds, characteristic of high-pressure systems, which allow temperatures to climb rapidly under spring sunshine but drop significantly after sunset.
Similar extreme ranges were observed elsewhere, with Aviemore in the Highlands reaching 21.4C after starting the day at -2.1C, and Aboyne in Aberdeenshire climbing from -4.7C to 19.4C. These large diurnal temperature ranges are more pronounced in inland areas compared to cooler coastal regions. Despite the potential for warm, sunny afternoons, frosty mornings are expected to persist over the weekend, though temperatures are predicted to rise again by midweek.
While spring sunshine can be as strong as in late summer, caution is advised due to high UV levels, particularly around midday and at higher elevations. Historical data reveals even more extreme temperature swings, such as a 30.1C range recorded in Inverness-shire in 1979. Some mountainous areas are still reporting snow, with ski and sledging conditions available at Cairngorm Mountain and Glencoe Mountain.
