Summer’s grim start
AFTER the clocks went forward at the weekend and British Summer Time gets under way, hopes are naturally raised for some sunshine and warmer spells.
But Scotland is instead on alert today for snow, ice and high winds as wintry conditions continue to grip the country.
The Met Office has issued a yellow ‘ be aware’ warning for swathes of the country, with drivers facing potentially hazardous conditions on the roads.
‘Cold air will spread in across the North by Sunday evening allowing many road temperatures to fall below zero overnight,’ a Met Office spokesman said.
‘As wintry showers move in from the NorthWest, icy stretches are liable to form on any untreated roads. These showers will fall as snow in places.’
The spokesman said there could be localised accumulations of up to two inches on higher routes overnight and just under an inch at lower levels. ‘The public should be aware of the potential for hazardous driving conditions, though the risk will decrease quickly on Tuesday morning as temperatures rise again.’
Looking further ahead, the Easter weekend is likely to be a washout, with wet and windy weather sweeping Scotland.
The Weather Channel has predicted that the likely position of the jet stream means Scotland faces a wetter than average summer, with heavy rain expected in June.
Meanwhile, a dust cloud – something usually associated with desert regions – descended on the A96 in Moray on Saturday, reducing visibility for drivers.
It came from a dry, recently ploughed field near Forres, whipped up by high winds.
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