February could be warmest for over 100 years
SCOTLAND could be heading for its hottest February day in more than 100 years.
A spell of settled weather will see temperatures begin to rise today as the country gears up for a spring-like weekend.
Forecasters say the conditions may put the current record for February – 17.9C (64F), set on February 22, 1897, in Aberdeenshire – under threat.
Grahame Madge of the Met Office said: ‘It’s really quite amazing.
‘Very benign conditions’
Towards the weekend, we are suggesting the Scottish record temperature for February is in danger of being broken.
‘Highs of 15C and 16C (59F-61F) are predicted for Friday and in a few sweet spots, it will be warm enough to challenge the record.
‘Whether we will get a new record is still to be decided, of course.
‘High pressure across continental Europe is now extending across most of the British Isles.
‘This is bringing settled conditions as well as shielding us from the worst effects of Atlantic storms, whistling away to the north.’ He added it could remain fair for the rest of the month.
‘We are in the middle of very benign conditions… with an area of high pressure in charge, keeping weather systems at bay,’ he said.
‘The airflow is coming from the Azores and the Canary Islands, which is bringing temperatures which are unseasonably mild.’
However, he warned it will remain chilly overnight, with frost and fog possible.
John MacLeod – Page 21