Winter wipeout as February hots up
EXACTLY a year ago, Scots were braced for blizzards and ice courtesy of the Beast from the East.
But this time around forecasters are predicting sun rather than snow for the week ahead, with the country facing its warmest February day for 120 years.
The Met Office says temperatures could rise above 17C (62.6F) on Saturday as warm air from north Africa travels north – potentially breaking the record of 17.9C (64F) set in Aberdeen in 1897.
It comes as the chairman of Ski Scotland blamed the mild weather for the industry’s worst ever start to a season. It saw empty pistes during the half-term holiday, usually one of the busiest times of the year.
Andy Meldrum described the season as ‘pretty dire’, with Glencoe Mountain Resort hosting two days of upper slope skiing and boarding and 20 days of limited runs so far. The slopes have been so barren the resort has taken on a single seasonal worker, he said.
Glenshee did not have enough snow to open while The Lecht, Nevis Range and Cairn-Gorm Mountain are mainly offering beginner areas.
‘But it’s not over yet and it could change pretty quickly with the right conditions,’ said Mr Meldrum.
Met Office forecaster Mark Wilson said yesterday: ‘As long as the sun continues to shine as the week goes on and the warm air stays in place, Scotland could potentially beat the February record.’
But the days ahead are likely to be wet and blustery, he warned.