Weather
'There is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes!' - Scottish Comedian Billy Connelly / a fisherman once said.
The weather in Scotland can be unpredictable to say the least and so it is best to prepare for everything regardless of the time of year – you can have sunshine in winter and snow in summer or all of it in one day. It is because of this that a lot of Scots live by the following phrase - "If you don't like the weather, wait twenty minutes and it'll change." This is near enough true.
At the end of the day the weather is what has sculpted our landscape through the centuries and what makes it lush today – you may come back off a tour with a tan or you may come back with your hair standing on end. But one thing is sure – we don’t let the weather stop us. Getting wet should not be feared – we are not aspirin, we won’t dissolve!
It doesn't always rain in Scotland!
In fact, rainfall varies widely, ranging from over 3,000mm per year
in the western Highlands (similar to rainfall over the mountains of the
English Lake District and Snowdonia in Wales) to under 800mm per year
near the east coast (similar to the Midlands of England).
The number of thunderstorms in Scotland, around three to nine days
a year, is relatively low compared with an average of up to 15 days
over England.
Measurable rainfall (an amount of 0.2mm or more) occurs on over 250
days per year over much of the Highlands, decreasing to around 175 days
per year on the Angus, Fife and East Lothian coasts.
In comparison, the driest part of Britain, along with the Thames
Estuary in south-east England, averages around 150 days per year with
measurable rainfall.
Average summer temperatures
Temperatures in Scotland are generally a few degrees cooler than in
England. For example, the average daily maximum temperature at Glasgow
in July is 19°C compared with 22°C in London.
July and August are normally the warmest months in Scotland. The
highest temperatures normally occur inland.
The highest air temperature recorded in Scotland was 32.9°C at
Greycrook in the Borders in August 2003.
The average number of days with sleet or snow falling in Scotland
ranges from around 20 or less near the west coast to over 100 days in
the Cairngorm Mountains and some other high peaks.
On Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, snow cover can last for
six or seven months of the year.
Average winter temperatures
To a large extent, winter temperature in the British Isles is
influenced by the surface temperature of the surrounding sea, and as
the North Sea is cooler than the waters off the west coast, the east
coast is generally slightly cooler in winter than the west coast.
January and February are the coldest months. The daytime maximum
temperatures over low ground in January and February average around 5
to 7°C, but can reach up to around 15°C when an airflow warms up after
crossing the mountains, an Alpine effect known as the föhn.
The lowest temperatures occur inland, away from the moderating
influence of the sea. In 1982 the temperature fell to -27°C, the lowest
recorded in Britain, at Braemar in Aberdeenshire. Coastal areas do not
experience such cold nights.
Find out what the weather is like in Scotland: www.met-office.gov.uk
Watch live webcams around Scotland to see the daily weather: webcams.scotsman.com
Weather
