Sunshine’s on thin ice
Biting winds, snow and frost... but don’t forget sunscreen
FREEZING Arctic winds are blowing in a mix of weather extremes.
Snow showers will continue in the North of Scotland – with another severe weather warning in force until 10am today – and further falls, even to low levels, during the weekend.
However, after waking to a widespread frost today, the southern half of the country can look forward to some long sunny spells – prompting a warning about the need for skin protection.
Annie Shuttleworth, of the Met Office, said: ‘The sun is strengthening as we begin to approach the middle of April.
‘It is as high now as it would be at the end of August or the beginning of September. So we would recommend that anyone exposed to the sun for a period of time this weekend should wear some kind of sun protection.’
Winds of up to 70mph have lashed Orkney and Shetland.
On the West Coast, CalMac was forced to cancel ferry services yesterday between Ardrossan and Brodick, Wemyss Bay and Rothesay, Mallaig to Armadale on Skye and Mallaig to the Small Isles because of gales.
There were restrictions on the Kessock Bridge, Inverness, and the Forth Road Bridge was shut to double-decker buses.
Meanwhile, in Moray, sandstorms whipped up by the wind caused difficult driving conditions near Fochabers.
Met Office forecaster Aiden McGivern said: ‘There will certainly be some icy patches and slippery surfaces first thing on Friday and it will be cold.
‘Temperatures will be below freezing and a widespread frost and lows of -5C in sheltered parts of northern and even southern Scotland and around the Borders.
Into Friday morning, there will be a widespread frost but plenty of sunny skies first thing, especially in central and southern areas.
‘There will be a biting wind. The air will be fundamentally on the cold side with temperatures between 6C and 8C (42-46F).’
However, a warm front approaching from the North-West is expected to lead to clouds begin to build later on Sunday.