Enjoy autumn’s golden glory while you can… a cold blast is on its way
THEY are stunning images of autumn in all its golden finery.
This year’s colourful mosaic of leaves marks one of the most dazzling displays in years, thanks to an unseasonably dry summer.
But this weekend may be the last chance for nature lovers to enjoy autumn’s bounties as a cold blast from the Arctic is making itself felt across certain parts of the country, including Aberdeenshire, Angus, Highland, Moray, Perth and Kinross – signalling an abrupt transition into winter.
Snow has already been falling on some mountain areas, including Ben Nevis and surrounding Munros, and in the Cairngorms.
Becky Mitchell, a meteorologist from the Met Office, said: “The northern areas of Scotland will see snow and ice. We rarely get snow showers on Arctic winds, so it will be bitterly cold.
“These showers could turn into sleet or snow above 200 metres. Where you see showers falling, you are at risk of icy conditions. I wouldn’t be surprised if you see snow on lower levels, but it won’t settle.”
Further to hail, sleet and snow showers last night and similar conditions until late this morning, the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning of ice on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths and advised it could affect roads and railways, leading to increased travel times.
Even where roads are treated, ongoing adverse conditions could wash away grit or snow.
Some councils sent gritters out last night and will continue to have them on standby across the country. Ms Mitchell also advised people across the country to dress warmly.
She said: “If anyone is heading out on Saturday, they should be aware of slippery surfaces. It’s going to be much colder than recent years.
“Across the north we are looking at highs of between five and eight degrees Celsius, which is colder than normal, and even colder in these icy winds.
“We might see some icy showers in the Central Belt, where it will still feel very cold.”
However, not everyone will see the cold spell as bad news.
Victoria Williams, from Southampton, was delighted to see the snow while on a family holiday to the Highlands.
She said: “The colours in Perthshire the last few days were incredible and then to get a bit of snow in the Highlands has really made the holiday.” Winter sports fans will also rejoice as the Nevis Range snow sports centre on Aonach Mor, near Ben Nevis, saw a dusting of snow paving the way for a potentially early snow sports season on Scotland’s slopes.
Andy Meldrum, chairman of Ski Scotland, said last winter was one of the best for the five Scottish resorts for five years, clocking around 250,000 skier days – compared to just over 54,000 the previous year.
Temperatures were falling yesterday, and were expected to go to -2C (28F) at Altnaharra, Sutherland, with many places seeing the mercury dip to freezing or just below.
And Met Office forecaster said: “We have had a pretty mild October so far and a warm start to autumn in places so it will be a big change for ev erybody as we go through the weekend. Certainly it’s time to get the warm winter clothes out.”