Dig out the woolly jumpers... winter’s back with vengeance

ICE cream and cold drinks were the only chill factor in Scotland 12 months ago, as the country sweltered in Easter temperatures as high as 68 degrees.

But what a difference a year makes, as blizzards and sleet are set to sweep across Scotland this morning, bringing rush-hour misery.

Forecasters warned the recent summery spell is set to end abruptly, with a bitter overnight frost followed by severe wintry conditions.

The Met Office issued a yellow ‘be aware’ weather warning yesterday for last night into this morning, forecasting heavy rain, thunderstorms, snow and hail.

A low-pressure zone rolling in from the Atlantic is due to collide with freezing air from the North to bring widespread wintry conditions in Central, Tayside, Fife, Grampian, Highland and the Western and Northern Isles.

Lindsay Mears of the Met Office said: ‘It may come as a bit of a shock to people, just as things were getting warmer and the nights were getting lighter. It’s not unusual to get snow as late as April. The month can be a bit volatile, with heavy showers and thunder.

‘But while April snow generally remains confined to higher ground, this time it will be falling at relatively low levels.’

Weather warnings were in place for heavy rain across Central Scotland yesterday between 1pm and 9pm, with localised hail and lightning. Snow is expected today in northern areas, with forecasters warning of icy conditions and disruption for drivers.

The outlook for the weekend and into next week appears equally grim – with clear overnight skies causing widespread frost in the mornings.

Temperatures between 12c (54f) and 14c (57f) are predicted in southern areas over the weekend – and at night could plummet to minus 3c.

Miss Mears said: ‘When the sun comes out it will be warm, but not as warm as it has been this week. It’s not going to reach the dizzy heights that it has over the last few days.

‘It is spring weather – unsettled, showers, hail, heavy rain – but when the sun’s out it is quite a bit warmer.

‘Next week it is looking cooler but a little bit sunnier and then by the middle of the week perhaps a bit unsettled.’

‘It may come as a bit of a shock’