Warning that ‘big chill’ on way

A WINTRY blast looks set to hit Scotland this week – with forecasters revealing what people in Tayside and Fife can expect from the cold weather.

Reports suggest the country is due to plunge into a “big chill” with the mercury dipping up to seven degrees below freezing in parts.

It is expected that snow will also fall in some higher areas.

November has been unseasonably mild so far but that is set to change.

Over the next few days temperatures are expected to be around average for this time of year, with the weather staying mainly dry and highs of about 9°C.

But things are set to change as we head towards the weekend.

On Thursday there will be wintry showers on higher ground, and it will be windy for most areas and feeling “much colder”, according to the Met Office.

By Friday there will be more persistent rain and snow across the hills.

The Met Office says that on Saturday and Sunday, most parts of the region can expect daytime temperatures as low as 3°C – and below freezing overnight, when it will feel like -4°C for many inland areas. However, according to the latest forecast, snow looks set to stay away as the region experiences dry conditions with some sunny spells.

It means those attending events such as Dundee’s Winterfest – which kicks off on Friday – should be able to head along without their umbrellas.

The Met Office’s longer-term forecast for next week says that winds from the north and northwest will “allow colder conditions to persist”.

It adds: “High pressure is likely to sit to the south or south-west of the UK, so rain and showers are more likely in the north, these could be wintry on high ground and perhaps at lower levels at times.

“Likely drier at times in the south and rather cold at times, with overnight frost likely.”

Meanwhile forecasters say it is too early to predict whether Tayside and Fife could be in for a white Christmas, with accurate weather data not available until about five days before.

However bookies are already offering odds on whether the region will see the white stuff on December 25.

The last white Christmas in the UK was in 2020 but only 6% of weather stations reported snow falling, and 4% recorded snow lying on the ground.

Tayside and Fife residents can expect mercury to plummet by end of week as winter rolls in.