A Winter's Tale

Two consecutive days of glorious summer weather with wall to wall sunshine, blue skies and a distinct summery look to the landscape. The moon has been massive over the past few nights. Tomorrow is not looking as good weatherwise and Monday looks wet, windy and quite cool.

The past few days have all been pretty decent but very different with the muggy heat of Monday, to yesterday's pleasant May conditions to today's very clear, but chilly conditions with sub -5C uppers over the country. There has been some snow this evening in the Shetland Islands which just continues a very long season for wintry weather since late October. For the next couple of days temperatures should be on the low side for the time of year but perhaps turning a little warmer around the weekend. God knows what this summer will be like - we are well overdue a good one before the autumn chill returns once more.

Joint warmest day of 2013 with a high of 22C. Other than Saturday, there has been an improvement during recent days compared to earlier this month. In recent weeks, vedgetation has recovered but all in all this has been a really odd Spring this year with a profoundly cold theme. March was amazing from a weather and snow enthusiasts perspective, April was fairly similar to last year (not a bad month overall, but it felt weird with the absence of Spring) and for this month, it would have been nice to have had some more warm and sunny days. Here's to a long, warm and sunny for Scotland.

My favourite beach is Camusdarach (Silver Sands of Morar) in the NW Highlands. It offers the most magnificent views to the islands of Mull and Eigg aswell as the the Red and Black Cullins of Skye. Amazing sunsets on late summer nights. The beach has also been used for the films Local Hero and Highlander.

22c at 17:00 in Altnaharra.

The airport has recorded 20C for the first time this year! It's been a long time waiting though as the last time was late August. A stunning morning earlier but now clouds are starting to bubble up so I wouldn't be surprised if there is some thunder late. It's shame that the first taste of summer weather will be gone before my birthday tomorrow.

The past few days have been pretty uninspiring and under-par for May standards, but at long there could be some warmth and sunshine later today but sadly it won't last with unsettled weather returning. This year Spring has been really weird, despite some recovery in the countryside after that amazing March, nature still seems to be behind schedule. Perhaps a spell of fantastic May weather such as that spell in May last year and back in 2008 and 2000 could balance out Spring 2013 but looking at the models it doesn't seem likely at this stage.

1st May: May is one of the finest months of the year with warm Spring sunshine, quite long days, usually fairly dry but prone to thunderstorms and some unsettled weather. Usually the first proper tastes of summer weather arrive at this time of year but also the last of the chilly Spring days and cold nights and even some wintriness. Last year, the first two-thirds was very chilly for the time of year - with some snow - and there was some heavy rainfall too but towards the end of the month there was a fantastic and fairly long spell of dry and warm weather with temperatures at Glasgow airport as high as 27C and the warmest ever Scottish May temperature was recorded with a high above 30C in the highlands. May 2013 follows on from one of the most unusual Springs with an exceptional March with a prolonged and potent taste of winter weather. April 2013 started on a notably chilly note, Spring growth finally began to slowly get underway as the snow on the Campsies melted away. The remainder of the month was still of a chilly variety of Spring weather with a mixture of sunny/wet spells. Vegetation growth and nature is behind schedule but at least the countryside somewhat looks a bit more like Spring compared to back in March. Today saw plenty of glorious sunshine and blue skies, although it was cloudy start with some rain. The maximum temperature was 12C which is probably about right for early May but this evening and tonight the stars are out, there is barely a wind and at the airport the minimum temperature was 2C which makes for a chilly May night. In Shetland, there was snow today which continues the chilly May theme since 2010. A cold night is on the way with perhaps the last air frost of a long season which started in late September. A front should bring a prolonged spell of rain to Scotland during the next couple of days and it looks like it will stay chilly for the first days of May 2013. It isn't unusual for the last of the Spring chilly air to be present in early May, but I would presume that things may eventually warm up but for now, the nature of what this month could end up as remains unknown. 2nd May: A particularly cold night for late Spring/May with a low of 0C under clear skies at Glasgow airport - surely the last air frost of the season. The maximum temperature was 13C but it was a cloudy day with some rain from a front that was mainly situated to the north west and for parts of the highlands maximum temperatures barely got above 5C at some spots and there was some snow to low levels which is quite amazing but of course May is a Spring month and isn't immune from a bit of wintry and chilly weather but this has been a very long season for chilly weather and this Spring has been notably chilly. And the chilly theme to Spring 2013 looks like staying for the next few days with some more rain at times. But as we near summer and the longest day of the year then surely we should progress and properly enter into the season of warmth and summer weather, hopefully sometime this month! 3rd May: A truly diabolical day for May. Max/min 12/6C but it was dull, dark and driech! Overcast skies and some heavy rain combined with a bit of wind made it feel and look like autumn. The front even brought snow to some locations in northern Scotland which has now cleared away and skies are mostly cloudy with some clear patches spread out across the sky, rather calm too. A chilly night is ahead but things might turn a bit milder in the coming days, the rain shouldn't be as persistent as the past 24hrs but for Scotland, especially western parts there is a higher risk ol spells of damp and dull weather. 4th May: Not as bad as the previous day or two, but it was very cold with a maximum of only 10C and a chilly overnight low of 2C. A little bit of a chill in the breeze as well. A mostly cloudy day too with some drizzle and light rain making for rather dull conditions. On a drive across the area situated to the north of the Campsies I noticed that there is still a few small snow patches left on the northern side of the hills - quite similar to Spring 2010. As I've said before nature somewhat resembles a bit of Spring after that very wintry and cold March but it still looks and feels a bit weird. Maximum temperature barely reaching 10C, overcast skies and unspectacular Spring growth resembles autumn rather than May. A little bit milder in the next few days but hardly spectacular and not too much sunshine to talk about either. 5th May: Despite being a dull and overcast day with a little spell of rain earlier, it was the warmest day of the year with a high of 16C at Glasgow airport and a min of 7C. But in eastern Scotland it was also the warmest day of the year with 21C maximum at Fyvie Castle. It is overcast here now and a weather front situated across north western parts of the British Isles should bring some rain overnight and into tomorrow. Tuesday should be an improvement and could be the warmest day of the year so far, potential highs of 18C in the Glasgow areas but after that it turns a bit more unsettled. 6th May: Rather uninspiring with some further cloud cover and light rain at times but now it is a calm and mostly clear night other than thin cloud cover towards to the south east. Maximum of 14C, minimum of 9C. Tomorrow could be a landmark day for 2013 with potentially the first 20C of the year at Glasgow airport and at last there should be some sunshine but it may not last though - turning unsettled thereafter. 7th May: After the first warmth of 2013 in north east Scotland on the 5th, today was the warmest day of the year so far with widespread sunshine and lovely May/summer warmth across many parts of the British Isles. Here, Glasgow airport recorded a high of 22C, which is the warmest temperature of 2013, the first 20C of the year too and it follows a prolonged period of cold weather of the 2012/2013 season with 20C last recorded on the 21st August 2012. It started off on a chilly note with a low of 3C during the early hours. A glorious morning with barely a cloud in the sky but as the temperature rose clouds started to bubble up in the afternoon which created a hazy look to the sky. At the airport, the temperature was at or above 20C from 2.20pm to 7.50pm and it was a lovely May evening with plenty of sunshine and warmth making for a pleasant spell out in the garden. Sadly a front is moving northwards tonight and unsettled and cooler weather should arrive in time for my birthday tomorrow. However, today did remind me of glorious May days of previous years and days such a today are different from the sort of heat and light during the summer. Having said that, in previous years early May has brought chilly, blustery and showery conditions which is of course another face of the sort of weather we can expect at this time of year. During the coming days, this side to late Spring weather could return with low pressure taking control. 8th May: A front moving north brought grey skies and a period of rain during the morning and into the afternoon. However, it dried up in the evening with a few clear patches and around dusk I believe skies were clear. Today's max/min of 14/9C. Unsettled over the coming days with some rain tomorrow followed by some showers. 9th May: There was more cloud cover, grey skies and damp conditions today, especially during the evening. Now it is dry, calm but mostly cloudy. Today's maximum and minimum was 12/5C. Tomorrow should see similar temperatures but perhaps brighter with some more showers but Saturday is looking like a dull and damp day. 10th May: Thankfully growth is now underway with the trees and grass but today's was more likely early Spring or autumn rather than a third of the way through May. Maximum temperature 12C, and a low of 4C and some pretty damp and dull conditions reminded me of some days during the chilly and wet first part of May last year. It did clear up a bit later in the evening with some showers but with the ground so damp, chilly looking sky and temperature of only 6/7C, it didn't really feel or look like the time of year. Tomorrow, it's another wet day but it may brighten up in the afternoon but after that some more rain is likely in the coming days, staying unsettled and cool for the time of year. 11th May: A cold day for a third of the way through May (!) at 10/5C. Like the past few days it was very miserable in the morning with grey skies and rain. In the evening however, it became a bit clearer with a decent May sunset and night. Staying cold and unsettled for the time of year in the coming days. 12th May: A pretty dull day overall with some rain and grey overcast skies for much of the day, however during the evening at last there were intervals of clear evening skies. Just now, it's calm, quite cool and partly clear. A showery, windy and cold day to come tomorrow. Still looking unsettled and cool for the coming days. Like last year, early May has been particulary unsettled and chilly and recently there has been some pretty cloudy and wet days in what is normall a decen time for weather in Scotland. Of course all of this follows on from the cold conditions of March and April. A really different Spring this year. 13th May: More like early Spring/late winter than the middle of May!! What a strange month and season it has been. Today's temps 10/2C (brrrr). Sunshine, quite blustry with showers in passing cumulonimbus clouds. It felt like March or February and there was a fresh covering of snow on the top of the Campsies this morning - possibly the latest fresh snow cover on the hills since I can remember. A pretty windy night so far, showery tomorrow. 14th May: Quite similar to yesterday wih cold air over the British Isles. Here, it was a day of sunshine, blue skies and passing showers - some more persistent rain earlier in the morning. As the day progressed showers beame fewer and skies became even clearer in the evening. Currently, it's a nice, calm, clear but cold May night. Tomorrow, here in western Scotland it should be brighter whilst the front currently bringing miserable conditions to southern parts of England is moving further north. Staying unsettled... 15th May: The past few days have seen an 'improvement' from some of the wet and dull conditions of May so far. Today, there was barely a shower of rain and there was glorious Spring sunshine and blue skies Still not particular warm at 13/2C. There was barely a cloud in the sky in the late evening sunshine. In parts of England, including Shropshire and Devon, there was some very late season snowfall earlier with some parts waking upto as much as 5CM this morning! It completes a long season for snowfall in the British Isles but now we should be looking forward to summer 2013 and leaving a remarkable 2012/2013 season behind. The next few days may still be unsettled, possibly becoming a bit warmer in 4-5 days time. 16th May: Today's temperatures was 12/3C. A decent May day, a bit on the cool side but there was a decent amount of sunshine, calm and partly/mostly clear conditions. There was just one or two showers. Tonight, it is mostly clear and calm. Tomorrow should be a dry day, Saturday very wet but temperatures perhaps are set to rise a little. 17th May: After a period of grey and wet weather this month, recently there has been a bit more sunshine. Today, it was another mostly sunny and clear day with calm conditions. And a maximum temperature of 17C making for a nice May/early summer day with longer daylight hours now. It was a cold start though with a low of 2C - one ofthe last of the late season chill - but it is milder tonight. However, an area of low pressure is moving in from the east and tomorrow should be a pretty wet day. However, it is a warm front and temperatures should be decent for the time of year and Sunday is looking like a good day. 18th May: Low pressure resulted in a cluster of areas of rainfall moving in from the continent and off the North Sea. As a result today was a alm, but cloudy and quite muggy dat with some periods of rainfall earlier in the afternoon, looking north to the the Trossachs, there were strips of clearer skies and thinner cloud cover, however, just now it is overcast with some rain in Central Scotland. Thankfully, the next few days are looking drier and warmer with 20C possible. 19th May: Max/min of 15/10C (warmer in parts of the highlands, 22C at Altnaharra). A quiet, dry day with some high-level cloud cover which lifted later in the afternoon/evening allowing for a decent looking May evening with partly clear skies. Tomorrow should see 20C in the Glasgow area for a second time this year, possibly some thunderstorms to come with it. Not quite as warm afterwards but some decent weather is possible. 20th May: Joint warmest temperature of the year so far at 22C ( a low of 11C). Second day of 20C this year. It was a humid day, but more than tolerable enough. Not a particulary clear and sunny day with partly clear and hazy skies but it turned a bit darker with the threat of showers. Tonight it is calm, but muggy and a cloudy night. The next few days staying dry and calm but not as warm. It's nice to get some heat in what has been an odd and cold Spring with some final Spring chill lasting into this month. I would have hoped for a May like 2000 or 2008 to kick start the season for summery weather after feeling satisfied from a pretty good winter and early Spring - perhaps a bit excessive the cold weather this Spring, but here's to a good summer. 21st May: A decent, pleasant May day with a high of 17C and low of 7C. It wasn't as humid as yesterday and there was more clearer, blue skies and sunshine with the countryside looking green and summery. Right now, it's a calm, clear, starrty night with the moon out. The coming days should be fairly dry and sunny but cold for the time of year with a very late appearance of the -5C uppers tomorrow - this unusual Spring continues the theme! 22nd May: After the humid warmth of the 20th, yesterday's standard May conditions, today saw more blue skies and sunshine, however the temperatures was lower at 13/5C thanks to a northerly air flow. Lovely white clouds scatered across the clear, cold air. There was a shower later in the evening whereas further north there has been some snow in a few places. The next couple of days, staying cold, possibly warmer for the weeked but it looks like staying dry and bright. Currently it is a lovely clear, calm but chilly, starry and moonlit night. 23rd May: Another decent day, but not quite as good with some cloudier periods, a few showers (some of hail) and a pretty cold day (10/4C) with snow further north. A partly clear, calm evening with occasional glimpses of the moon. Tomorrow slightly better, Saturday quite warm and sunny and Sunday pretty similar before a front moves in on Wednesday. 24th May: A really lovely late Spring/summer's day with plentiful summery sunshine, blue skies with a few cirrus clouds, wounderful bright, summery colours across the sky and landscape with a super, classic summer's evening look between Loch Lomond and Stirling. A big, big moon in the sky (possibly the largest I've ever seen). Not too warm a day at 15/7C. Just now, it is a calm, lear night with the moon out but the air is now a bit hazy. The weekend should see higher temperatures and more sunshine. 25th May: The clear overnight skies saw a chilly minimum of 1C (!). Today continued the bright, sunny and summery look and feel to things with barely a cloud in the blue, summer's sky and feeling warm in the sunshine - maximum of 16C. A fantastic summer's evening too with no clouds, calm conditions. Another big and bright moon tonight. Tomorrow, a weak front may bring some patchy rain and cloud but Monday is looking particulary wet. 26th May: 16/7C temperature wise but weak front brought spells of patchy cloud cover, a little bit of rain. However, in the afternoon and evening there was good periods of clear and sunny skies. It's a little cloudier now witha larger front nearby. Tomorrow looks set to be very wet. 27th May: For much of the day, the conditions were not all that pleasant with grey skies, periods of rain - at times heavy - and also some heavy showers in the evening. Max/min of 13/8C. It did however clear up in the evening with a mostly clear sky at dusk. It is now quieter and a mostly clear night. During the next few days temperatures could be in the mid-teens, possibly some dry conditions aswell. 28th May: A mostly clear day with some rain associated with a band of rain stretching northwards across much of England and over the border. However, during this evening clouds began to thin and break up leaving a clear sky at the latter part of dusk. Tomorrow, it could be quite warm with temperatures in the high teens, mostly dry - cloudier further east. Thursday is looking good too. 29th May: Quite a warm day, but with the influence of a warm front in the east it was fairly cloudy, quite humid with some rainfall in the afternoon and evening at times. Skies started to clear a bit this evening and tonight half the sky is clear with calm conditions and some areas of thin, patchy cloudy cover in the sky, reflecting the orange glow of Glasgow. Tomorrow could be even warmer and sunnier but Friday could be both cloudy and cool. 30th May: Today was a warm Day and it felt quite humid aswell. A bright day but not absolutely clear and sunny in the morning and noon with a few rain showers. It turned out to be a lovely sunny and largely clear afternoon and evening - typically summery. Later around 9-10pm cloud started to roll in over the central belt but it was fairly thin with clearer stripes and pockets. However skies were clearer further west and it was a spectacular sunset overlooking Loch Lomond and the distant mountains from Queen's view. Further east towards Stirling it seemed a bit murky under cloud cover. The cloud cover over the central areas began to dissipitate towards the end of dusk resulting in a clear, but mild night. Tomorrow should be cloudier with the threat of patchy rain thanks to a weak front. 31st May: The last day of Spring 2013. After a cold winter, this Spring has generally been unusually and almost excessively cold wih an exceptional March, a chilly April and some chilly weather this month at times. It has been interesting with some pleasant conditions, but at times this season felt out of snyc with normality. This month has seen a mixture of cold, wet dull days to cool, showery and bright to days and a few warm and sunny days - and a few other varieties too. Today, it was cloudier earlier in the morning - but quite bright. It turned out to be even better in the afternoon and evening than yesterday with lots of sunshine and blue skies. There was not a cloud in the sky this evening and right now it is a calm night with an absolutely clear sky. Tomorrow and Sunday, showery to start June. Maybe settled and a bit warm at the start of next week....

A day late but I'll go for 12.3C please.

Amazing sandstorms in Moray with drifts as high as 4ft and reports of snowploughs being used to clear sand! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22260836. Not a bad day here today and during the past week there has been a mix of pleasant, calm and sunny Spring weather aswell as some windy and wet periods. During the rest of the week colder conditions are set to return bringing some heavy showers with snow on the mountains and maybe even some thunder and hail. The last time 20C was recorded at the airport was the end of August and it's likely that 20C won't be reached until May.

http://www.metoffice...te/uk/datasets/ March 2013 has come in with a mean temperature of 1.3C, making it the joint 5th coldest March on record in Scotland and the coldest since 1962 and makes the top 10 coldest months of the past 25 years. Another acolade to the new post 2008 era of winters. A shame it wasn't a sub 1C month but it was a truly interesting and enjoyable month to experience. Let's hope that the rest of this year can produce more great months for weather - preferably of a warm and sunny variety between now and September - aswell as next winter delivering the goods oncemore. The mean maximum was 4.1C - the fourth coldest on record - mean minimum of -1.5C. Only 87.9hrs of sunshine. 6th driest on record with only 49.5mm of rainfall. 20.1 days with an air frost. For Scotland N: Maximum: 4.3C Minimum: -1.5C Mean: 1.4C Sunshine: 96.9hrs Rainfall: 36.8mm Air frosts: 19.6 days Scotland E: Maximum: 3.4C Minimum: -2.1C Mean: 0.7C Sunshine: 76.8hrs Rainfall: 62.5mm Air frosts: 22.5 days Scotland W: Maximum: 4.7C Minimum: -1.0C Mean: 1.8C Sunshine: 87.1hrs Rainfall: 53mm Air frosts: 18.2 days

Another glorious morning and a much sunnier afternoon so far other than a few passing clouds. A very cold night with a low of -6C at Glasgow airport - which I believe is the coldest April temperature there from the available records. Amazing!

Good afternoon everyone. The chilly but settled theme to our Spring weather for another few days atleast before the anticyclone and cold uppers are pushed out of the way by an area of low pressure moving off the atlantic around the early part of next week. It really has been an exceptionally cold first half to Spring so far, which has in itself has consequences despite how interesting and rather enjoyable it was for some. It's alsio been pretty dry across much of the British Isles since the middle of February, especially in the north west highlands of Scotland where it has been especially dry and the low dew points, lack of precipitation in an easterly wind and plentiful sunshine has resulted in a number of moor fires. Certainly, next week will come as a shock to the system but it should be refreshing to see a change in the weather and for Spring to resum once more. However, as the low pressure system moves across the British Isles (centred just to the north of Scotland), there is a chance of a brief arctic sourced northerly around the middle next week bringing a return to colder conditions for a time, but in a more Spring-like fashion in the form of a toppler. I'd suspect that the northerly flow would clear eastwards away from the British Isles but given the variablility of Spring weather, in theory anything and the unexpected could happen so during this week one thing to look out for is the overall synoptic pattern for the latter part of next week. I suspect that a ridge of high pressure would extend across the British Isles behind the northerly and this may be followed by low pressure strongly influencing our weather or, instead high pressure to our south and east bringing in milder air in the south westerly winds but another feasable option isa return to high pressure being placed to the north, so the nature of this change in conditions and synoptics is far from being determined. In the meantime, let's focus on the weather during the coming days. In the sunshine, temperatures this afternoon could be as high as 9C, especially in more western areas, whilst under cloud cover in the south east it may only be 4C, typically across the British Isles maximum values should be 6 to 8C. Skies should be clear across many areas this evening away from the south east of England and eastern parts of Scotland. Temperatures should also drop making for a chilly evening. Overnight, there could be a few passing snow flurries in south east England, a little bit of light rain for Shetland and possibly some mist and fog patches in highland Scotland. Another cold April night with lows of -2 to 2C in many areas, and even lower values in rural areas. Initially a cold start to Thursday morning but temperatures should begin to rise after sunrise - values of 2 to 5C should still feel chilly. Sunshine and unspoilt blue skies in a number of regions, especially away from eastern counties where there should be some passing clouds. Possibly further snow flurries for the far south east. Into the afternoon and some clouds may build up across some areas, but generally speaking most of the cloud cover should be across southern England and north eastern Scotland. Temperatures should rise to 5 to 8C in many areas, a bit lower than that under cloud cover. Clear skies may not be as widespread on Thursday night but many areas should at least have some clear intervals, less clouds for the south west, west Wales and NI, some cloud cover for eastern Scotland, a few mist and fog patches too before dawn. Another cold, frosty night with lows of -1 and 1C in urban areas. Medium-level cloud cover may be present across many areas on Friday with sunshine perhaps more likely in southern areas and more overcast in northern Scotland with a threat of some precipitation. Another cold April day with highs of just 5 to 8C. Another dry, cold and frosty night to come with lows typically -2 to 0C, clear skies for many, especially in southern and eastern areas whilst in northern Scotland, there could be a risk of some light and patchy snow. Saturday could see temperature a degree or two higher with typical values of 7 to 9C, coldest in northern Scotland where it may still be rather cloudy and for Ireland it could also be cloudier. Some sunshine is possible for western and central Scotland and especially across Wales and the southern half of England, for some inland areas during the afternoon there could be a few passing clouds. A cold night to follow but not as cold, with the lowest values in eastern areas with temperatures close to freezing. A cloudy night for northern and western areas, further east there may be clear intervals. There may not be much sunshine for Sunday, instead medium level cloud cover for most and a little bit of patchy light rain and drizzle for parts of highland Scotland. Maximum temperatures of 7 to 9C which is still below average. Temperatures overnight should be above freezing with cloud cover for most. Next week a change is on the cards, but as I said earlier it is very early days with regards to the nature of the weather and synoptics that may follow. For a Spring month, I don't mind whether cold or mild, showery or settled April weather prevails, but a good deal of sunshine would be paramount and for the weather to exhibit the truly variable and dynamic qualities of this time of year. With an entire two thirds of a month yet to be mapped out synoptically, and how last month showed how nobody expected such a month, then I'm inclined to think that April 2013 could unfold and every different ways. This month may even end on a warm note.

A cloudier day than yesterday after a bright start. I think there may have been a few snow flakes earlier although I'm not absolutely sure. Glasgow airport recorded a low of -5C which is the joint coldest April temperature since 1973, and colder than January's minimum temperature. In Braemar, last night the temperature dropped to around -11C, which has to be the coldest April temperature for many, many years and a value colder than February's low of -10C.

April 1st: After an amazing March which rounded-off and was the highlight of an interesting and consistent season for cold and snow, we now enter the month April and are now into April. However with the never-ending winter of 2012/2013 and a memorable March, the landscape is still stuck in winter with snow on the Campsies and some drifts remaining on the walls and the countryside and vedgetation remain in winter with litte growth. April is very much a Spring month and right at the middle of the cross-over from winter to summer. This means for a variety in weather, longer daylight hours and a stronger sun making for pleasant conditions and further plant growth. Last April was a cold one with a number of frosts and also a snowfall whilst the year before was a record breaking mild one. I don't mind which side of the average this months ends up, but I'd like Spring 2013 properly get under way with the final huraah for winter and the first signs of sumer and the unique variablity but also tranquility of the Spring weather. At Glasgow airport, 15C hasn't been reached whilst 20C was recorded in late March last year. The first 15C and 20C is something to look out for aswell as the last proper frosts and hopefully a final snowfall to conclude a very decent winter. But I also hope that the weather makes for interesting days and events to summarise in this diary and also to look back on in a review. Today, started with an air frost and a low of -2C at Glasgow airport. A maximum temperature of only 7C which is colder than all of previous maximum values in April since 2008 at the airport. However, today felt Spring-like in the glorious sunshine albeit it felt chilly in the wind at times. The light also had a tinge of Spring to it despite how vedgetation is far from where it should be and the top of the Campsies are covered in snow. A nice, chilly but largely clear April evening too. Some more air frosts to come in the next few days and hopefully some sunshine too. The prolonged period of below average temperature look set to stay for a few more days at least, rather settled conditions too, but perhaps around a third of the way through the month there could be a change to something new. April 2nd: A very cold night with a low of -5C in the early hours which is the joint coldest April temperature at Glasgow airport since 1973. Braemar recorded a low of -11.2C, which is the coldest April temperature in many years and lower than February's coldest temperature of -10C. A glorious start before some cloud cover rolled in from the east. I thought I saw one or two flakes of snow but I cab't confirm. Maximum temperature of 7C making for a chilly April day. Skies cleared around dusk allowing for a cold evening with a very cold looking sky. Right now, -2C and partly clear and another cold night is on the cards. The below average and settled conditions should last for a few more days before low pressure moves in. April 3rd: An extremely cold start with a low of -6C at Glasgow airport which I believe is the coldest April temperature from available records. An absolutely glorious, but quite chilly April day with a little breeze, fantastic Spring sunshine and blue skies with just a few passing clouds. I even played tennis for the first time in 2013. Maximum temperature 9C which is a little below average. Staying on the cold and settled side for the next few days but I'm intruiged to see what's coming next with the change in pattern commencing next week. April 4th: A low of 0C with some partly cloudy skies, even a few spots of rain. However it was another glorious morning, feeling a bit milder but the maximum was only 9C (it's been over a month since 10C was recorded at Glasgow airport). Some nice bright and clear periods this afternoon and evening but there were also some cloudier periods at times too and a similar story tonight. Settled, chilly theme continuing.... a change to something more unsettled next week. April 5th: Another beautiful but rather chilly Spring day. A low of 0C, but rising to 9C in the strong Spring sunshine. A really sunny and stunning day with clear, Spring skies. I went for a drive in the evening towards Aberfoyle. The landscape and countryside is still stuck in late winter with no plant growth and snow patches on the mountains. Some parts of the sky looked a bit wintry at sunset, especially looking east above the snow-covered Campsies with a little bit of a pink haze on the horizon, but the stronger light, and longer time between sunset and dusk has a seasonal element to it aswell. It's certainly remarkable how this year, nature seems to be a month or so behind where it should be and gven the persistence of the below average conditions, it has the feeling of late winter rather than early April. A cold night to come, another decent day tomorrow, low pressure trying to move in next week but it could stay cold in Scotland for a while. April 6th: -5C low at Glasgow airport with a clear, cold and stunning Spring morning. Some clouds rolled over during the afternoon making it bit darker and bringing a few spots of rain. Went on a drive to Lochgoilhead and it was very chilly in the wind, the land still stuck in winter with only a few daffodils and hills covered in snow. Maximum temperature of 9C at Glasgow airport maintains the cold experienced so far this Spring. Some snow in northern Scotland too. Staying cold into next week which should complete an exceptional but very strange first half to Spring that has been unusually and persistently cold for Spring standards. The second half to the season could be very different but it will sure but fascninating to see how the rest of Spring 2013 unfolds. April 7th: Minimum temperature above freezing at 1C, maximum 9C again but it was colder today around 5-8pm with some cloud cover thanks to a front in the north of the country which has brought some snow today. Some pleasant sunshine for a time in the afternoon. Currently cloudy so perhaps no air frost tonight but it looks like staying cold during the next few days, some sunshine at times and maybe some precipitation in the easterly wind. April 8th: A cold day with a maximum of 7C, some cloud cover and an easterly wind making it feel even colder. It did clear up a bit in the evening allowing for a cold looking dusk sky. Some snow showers for north in the country. Cold theme to last up until the weekend with the models agreeing on southerly winds finally ending this amazing run of unseasonably cold weather. April 9th: A really nice bit quite chilly April day with pleasant Spring sunshine and clear, blue skies lasting well into the evening but it felt a bit chilly in the breeze and the maximum temperature failed to reach 10C with a max of 8C, min of 0C - cloudier now. Really impressive Spring this year, the theme is going to last for a few more days this week before southerly winds bring milder temperatures for the weekend. April 10th: Maximum of 8C and a minimum of -2C at the airport concludes a particulary cold first third to April 2013, but this morning's conditions did not fit in well with the dry theme of recent days. Cloudy skies brought spells of rain during the morning with some rather wet conditions in heavy bursts and there was even some hail, part of a group of showers coming in from the east. Then in the afternoon it did clear up and was brighter, albeit quite hazy but now, the sky is seemingly overcast. A day or two more of this period then a change for the weekend with southerly winds,. April 11th: 8C/3C at Glasgow airport thanks to cloud cover which allowed for a pretty dull and damp day compared to recent weeks. Feeling cold, especially in the wind. But it will be turning milder for once, but it will also be quite unsettled. April 12th: Another dull and damp day with quite heavy rain at times in the morning and some drizzle throughout. Max/min of 7/2C and another cold feeling day. It should turn milder over the coming days with double digit maximum for the first time since early March. April 13th: This time last year, the warmest temperature of 2012 was 20C in late March. Today was the joint warmest of 2013 with a high of 12C! And it was the first day with double digit temperatures since the very start of March. It just shows what an interesting year and very unusual spring we are having, and April has been very chilly so far with minimum temperatures as low as -6C at Glasgow airport which makes for a potent finale to the winter season. Today's minimum was 4C, the mildest for some time. Southerly winds helped to bring milder uppers but there was some sunshine earlier before cloud cover arrived later, the wind also increased and there has been some persistent rainfall this evening. For the coming days, it is certainly going to be much milder compared to Spring 2013 so far, and it will be interesting to see when we get the first proper warm day of 2013 with maximum above 15C, aswell as the next, possibly last chilly weather to add the cold conditions thexperienced in the first third of April. April 14th: The warmest day of the year sa high of 15C at Glasgow airport (low of 9C) anda high of 22C in SE England.. The last time it reached 15C here was on the 21st October. Pretty windy too with a few strong gusts. The sun did come out at times too and clear/cloudy intervals and there was a brief bit of rain late in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy now. Further strong winds to come, possibly some precipitation but it is staying milder than of late but there could be a return to chilly conditions. April 15th: Another mild (and windy day) with a high of 14C and a low of 8C. Some clear intervals with scattered clouds but temporarily cloudier at times which resulted in a brief rain shower in the afternoon before clearing. The look of the sky abd sunshine certainly looks very different to the past few weeks and it seems that spring plant growth is starting to get underway with the milder and wetter weather recently. Another persistent area of precipitation has arrived later this evening and is now bringing rain. April 16th: Not quite as mild as previous days with a high of 11C, and under clear skies recently, 5C has been recorded at Glasgow airport. There was some cloud and rain early on and it was really windy too with quite strong gusts but it is pretty calm now. Things cleared up in the afternoon and evening with a few scattered clouds and a shower. Some pleasant April sunshine which brings a different look to the sky and light compared to previous weeks when the air was colder, and as a result Spring growth is starting to catch up. Right now, it is a nice calm, clear Spring night with the stars out and just a few scattered clouds moving across the sky. Another spell of rain tomorrow, but becoming more settled later this week with temperatures close to average. April 17th: A thoroughly miserable start with heavy, persistent rain and some drizzle. Quite calm compared to yesterday but since this evening there has been a return to some strong gusts. Max of 12C earlier, low of 3C making for average April temperatures. It briefly cleared up a bit early evening/late afternoon with some bluu skies but since then there has been some showers. Temperatures staying close to average, possibly some more sunshine further into the week. April 18th: There was rain overnight but it ended up a calmer day with some brightness but also some cloudier intervals aswell as the odd shower. Minimum of 8C and maximum of 11C. Partly cloudy just now and it could be a chilly night and tomorrow should be a pleasant April day, Saturday doesn't look too bad either but rain could return again for Sunday. Aprol 19th: A cold night with a low of 1C under clear skies. It turned out to be a very nice April day with a high ogf 12C, a little breeze, feeling very pleasant in the glorious Spring sunshine with only just a few small clouds scattered across the sky. With a front edging southwards towards Scotland, cloud cover has just increased a bit and tomorrow should be a cloudier day followed by rain on Sunday and potentially a chilly week to follow. April 20th: Not the same clear blue skies as yesterday but it was a bright day after a cold clear start with an overnight low of 2C. Kind of hazy looking clear patches in the sky and some clouds blowing around; a stronger breeze than yesterday. Maximum of 14C continues the more seasonal theme after the cold start to the month. Cloud cover gradually increased during the evening with the cold front nearing, so a wet night is ahead but things are expected to clear up tomorrow but for next week there could be some more rain at times in Scotland. April 21st: After cloud and a spell of rain overnight lasting into the morning, it turned out to be a decent day with a high of 12C, calm conditions and some clear intervals with some scattered clouds with cloudier periods during some passing showers. On an evening drive around the Clyde, then toward Irvine and the moon and stars are out in the clear parts of the sky. This evening recorded a low of 5C. Temperatures fairly close to average during the next couple of days with some rain at times. April 22nd: A low of 6C in the eraly hours and a dry, calm night. It was cloudy later in the morning and early afternoon with some rainfall but some clear intervals and sunshine made an appearance early in the evening before turning windy with some rain around 8pm. Maximum 12C. Now, calmer, drier with some clear patches from time to time. The next few days could be on the chilly side with some rain from time time. April 23rd: 12C maximum and 8C minimum - much colder in Scotland than further south. Some cloud cover and showers with some clearer intervals at times but there were more clear skies during a time in the evening in which the moon could be seen. Turning clouider now with a band of rain arriving. Turning colder over the coming days with some showers. April 24th: After overnight rain it turned out to be a decent day with clouds breaking apart allowing for clear and sunny intervals in the afternoon and evening - calm conditions too. A quiet night but overcast now.Max/min of 12/6C. Turning colder, possibly some overnight frosts and the threat of showers with thunder and hail. April 25th: A front brought rain which lasted into the morning after a low of 5C. It then brightened up with some very pleasant Spring sunshine and blue skies with some clouds scattered but also some sharp April showers at times too. Maximum of 11C which is on the chilly side, growth on trees and hedges is still behind schedule but at least nature is somewhat representive of the time of year. Some chilly and showery April weather for the next few days. April 26th: A chilly day (11/3C), with some brightness but also some regular and quite heavy showers, some of which included hail. A chilly night to come but a nice, dry day should follow before a front edges in from the north west later. Still looking cold for the time of year though for next week. April 27th: Stil chilly at 12/2C but with some glorious Spring sunshine and fairly calm too but a front coming in from the NW has increased cloud cover during the evening. Some rain overnight, another chilly day tomorrow but should turn brighter with some showers. April 28th: Another chilly, showery Spring day with showers of rain, hail and even some sleet in the evening. Some pleasant Spring sunshine and blue skies with scattered clouds but there were also heavy showers. Maximum/minimum of 11/4C making for a chilly day for the time of year in what has been a chilly Spring. Tomorrow, staying chilly, bright with some showers but maybe later in the coming week there maybe more cloudier and persistent rainfall. April 29th: A nice day with some clouds scattered across a clear, blue Spring sky with plenty of sunshine too. Still chilly at 12/5C and with less showers than yesterday. A lovely evening and night - very calm, chilly and with a clear and starry sky. Final day of the month should also be a nice one but maybe some rain to start April and the chilly theme to the Spring weather this year may continue into the start of May. April 30th: The final day of what has been another chilly April and at Glasgow airport there has been 9 days of 0C or lower minimum including an impressive -6C, and maximum temperature failed to reach 10C on the first 12 days of the month. The maximum temperature was 15C. There has been a mixture of dry, sunny Spring days to rather windy and wet spells but on the whole Spring has recovered from the exceptional cold of March, but this month has been April of a chilly variety. Today was a glorious April day after the first frost in weeks with the temperature at 0C, possibly the last of 0C minimum until autumn. A maximum temperature of 13C in the glorious Spring sunshine with only a few scattered clouds. A pleasant evening but now cloud has increased with a weak cold front moving down from the north. Some rain overnight followed by some sunshine tomorrow. A chilly start to May seems likely with some spells of rain but there are signs of it briefly turning settled.

What a fantastic day and the light has much more of Spring-like tinge to it. Feels pretty good too, highest temperature for a good number of weeks with a maximum of 7C at Glasgow airport, however, the last time there was an April maximum as low as today was in 2008.

I believe that provisionally it was something like the 6th coldest on record so I would imagine that the mean would be close to 1.6C (very similar to 1979). Really an exceptional month with so many amazing statistics in the context of this month and season as a whole. I few stats of note is that at Glasgow airport this month was the second snowiest since 2000 and just behind December 2009. Yesterday also saw a record low for easter sunday at Braemar with a minimum of -12.5C - that is quite a temperature for this time of year, also on many occasions this month there was a minimum value that was lower than coldest February temperature (and February was the coldest month of meteorological winter in Scotland)! The recent run of consecutive days of snowfall was also amazing and on two consecutive occasions last week there was a covering of snow before dawn making it the latest date for falling snow. Again, those stats are just a few of many in what was the most memorable month in a long, consistent and another good season for cold and snow and it's certainly worth reviewing later this month. 2013 was the March edition of noteworthy months for winter weatehr that we've seen in the past 5 years. The only thing it lacked was a few more records and a big snow-depth. What I've noticed in the past few years is the great annual contrasts in months: for example, a record warm April in 2011 followed by a much colder month in 2012, record mild March in 2012 followed by 2013, very mild October in 2011 followed by a cold October last year, record mild November 2011 then a cold month the following year..... We've just above seen everything which just proves the variability in our current weather and last month also enhances the prominence of HLB and cold conditions of recent years. Who knows what April 2013 will tun out as nobody anticipated the events of last month. It looks like this month will start on a settled note, on the chilly side but not quite as deep as the cold of recent weeks, and there should be some lovely sunny spells too. I think most of us will settle for the fact that Januaryesque cold is behind us now, the current set of conditions is a little more in place with Spring weather but nonetheless the cold weather is continuing and this will have consequences given how Spring has barely been given a chance this year and the vedgetation in the countryside, the gardens and snow-covered hill tops look frozen in winter. A good number of frosty nights should also continue the consistency of cold conditions since late September, we could even see a low of -10C somewhere in the highlands. Winds could turn to more of a northerly in the coming days so for some there maybe a few wintry showers - the only thing 2012/2013 has lacked was a snowier November so it would be nice to have some snow to mention this month. Eventually, around a third of the way through, we should see low pressure pouncing in from the atlantic which will bring a real change to the weather. The final two-thirds of the month are up for grabs, preferably it would be nice to get some classic Spring weather for once and by the final third, the first warm spell of the year would be something to look forward to. Let's hope that this month offers the pleasant Spring conditions for great days out aswell as capturing the fantastic variability of Spring weather at that same time rather than dull, wet, excessively benign but mild conditions. Enjoy the rest of easter Monday everyone!

April CET statistics and trivia AND entries 19.7 ... warmest April daily mean (29th, 1775) 16.3 ... warmest daily mean 1-15 April (15th, 1945) 12.0 ... Craig Evans! 11.8 ... warmest April (2011) 11.6 ... Backtrack 11.2 ... 2nd warmest April (2007) 10.6 ... 3rd warmest April (1865) 10.5 ... 4th warmest April (1943) 9.4 ... 9.3 ... Polar Gael 9.2 ... average for 2001-12 9.0 ... DiagonalRedLine -average for 14 yrs 1862-1875 (surprise?) 8.9 ... Bobd29 8.7 ... mikeocarrol 8.5 ... average for 1981-2010 8.4 ... easy-oasy, AtlanticFlamethrower 8.3 ... Stationary Front 8.2 ... Gavin (better luck this time! ) , dec10snow 8.1 ... virtualsphere, Norrance, Jackone -average for 1971-2000 (and 20th century 1901-2000) (also 1971-2000) 8.0 ... mulzy - average for 19th century 1801-1900 7.9 ... Rybris Ponce, The watcher -average for all data 1659-2012, also 1961-1990, also 18th century 1701-1800 7.8 ... DR(S)NO 7.7 ... AVFC, Roger J Smith, Kentish Man 7.6 ... millhouse, Mark Bayley, The PIT, DR Hosking 7.5 ... summer blizzard, m1chaels, seabreeze86, Adeyrn Coch, Weather-history, TonyH, A Winter's Tale 7.4 ... 22nov10blast 7.3 ... jonboy, stewfox, geoffw -average for 1659-1700 7.2 ... Portland Paul, sundog, Nibrasso, Harve 7.1 ... pij20101, Midlands Ice Age, RAIN RAIN RAIN 7.0 ... IanR 6.9 ... Steve B, Cymro, Ferryhill Weather, DAVID SNOW 6.8 ... Snow White, Terminal Moraine, Aphelion369 6.7 ... ihatetherain, Paul T 6.5 ... CongletonHeat, BARRY, Duncan McAlister 6.3 ... March Blizzard 6.2 ... Xyplode 6.1 ... Carl46Wrexham 6.0 ... SomeLikeItHot, Gael-Force 5.8 ... Yarmy - 18th coldest (tied) 1986 (coldest of past half century) 5.7 ... AWD 5.6 ... be cause 5.4 ... fifth coldest (tied) -- 1917 (coldest 20th century) also 1743,1770,1799) 5.3 ... geoffw 5.2 ... third coldest (tied) -- 1782 and 1809 4.7 ... coldest Aprils (1701 and 1837) -0.2 ... coldest April daily mean second half (19th, 1772) -0.5 ... coldest April daily mean (2nd, 1917 and 3rd, 1799) Thanks to RJS for the trivia. Looks like April is going to start on a cold note, probably turning to closer to average temperatures and it's all up in the air with regards to the final two-thirds. I don't mind which side of the average this month will end up as, but I'm hoping for a very Spring-like month with some elements of early summer and late winter weather. I'm going for a below average month overall. 7.5C

I wish you all the best for the future Stewart. Your fantastic input and forecasts will be greatly missed on here and many have learnt alot from your work.

A beautiful combination of Spring light and winter air and conditions. Today was the 9th consecutive day of snow here and at Glasgow airport it was also the 9th consecutive day of sub 5C maximum values - this just getting silly now ! This afternoon and evening had some more snow showers sometimes quite heavy with graupel and with a setting sun and lovely blue sky it had the look that a rainbow was around. Looking forward to a decent frost tonight, maybe some convective activity too and this evening Scotland take on Serbia. The game was in doubt but some bravehearts helped to clear the pitch of snow. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/scotland/21944797

8th consecutive day of snow here today with a few flurries. Another really cold day too but the wind has now eased somewhat. It's hard to believe that this time last year we were all enjoying that record-breaking warm spell with temperatures into the 20s in many areas. A year later, maximum temperatures are barely exceeding 3C (even for the likes of Tiree) and some of the most prolonged and 'deep' cold in March, occuring during the second half - a very different scenario to the usual share of northerly incursions or polar mariime air. One of the other weird aspects of this month is how Spring never really started - other than some of those glorious days back in that settled spell at the end of February - and we are enduring conditions that are akin to a decent cold spell in the depths of winter. March is renowned for its taste of late winter weather, but nothing on this insane level. During most years, we enter Spring at some time around the tail-end of winter before being treated to typical short and rather benign northerlies. I would like to see the run of sub 5C days see out the month which would nicely round-off this bizare spell of weather. It'd also be interesting to see this last into the first couple of days of April as I feel that some records could be broken (such as the coldest maximum for April which is -1.0C). Once the Easter weekend has passed then it would seem appropriate for Spring 2013 to finally make an appearance but after all we have no control of the weather to adjsust to our desire and that is a fudamental element that keeps the weather interesting. I'm absolutely positive that Spring will happen this year and possibly for a good chunk of April there could be the sort of Spring weather that is suitable for picnics, easter-egg hunts etc and through past experience don't underestimate the ability of mother nature to create dramatic turnarounds. The model thread has been pretty amusing recently especially Gavin's posts that include Victor Meldrew quotes and yet more straws to clutch (p.is that is what you get for being an annual mildie lol!) but condidering how BST is around the corner and the days are getting longer and the sun is getting stronger - here's a musical excerpt to reassure those who are dismayed by the recent vile temperatures The question is when the will the synoptic change and how? The current situation would have been perfect during the depths of winter as yet again northern blocking prevails as a reguuar occurance. I've got a feeling that the jet will remain a fair but south into the start of April. It may stay cold for the time of year but with the possibility of high pressure over the UK or a northerly, it may ironically look and feel more like Spring than it does now. Hopefully by the end of next month we'll be talking about conditions akin to the April's of 2003 and 2011 and looking forward to a May like 2000 or 2008. In the meantime, over the coming days we have got an easterly flow to deal with which could potentially deliver some accumilations to eastern counties. It really is remarkable to be talking about snow from an easterly wind this late into March albeit without the oompth of late November 2010. At this time of year despite the stronger sun and cold air in abundance, the dry and relatively stable easterly flow over a colder north sea could be a problem for a sunshine and beefy snow showers set up. If it was mid-November, with a warmer north sea, a very strong and unstable easterly flow carrying -20C uppers then we could be in business...lol. But for the Isles of Arran, the Kintyre Peninsula and parts of Dumfries and Galloway, in some sense and on a local scale it has surpassed anything we've seen since the new era of winter post 2008 (with the exception of those big snowfalls in March 2010 and 2011 in the highlands) with scenes akin to 1963. The thing is that strangely, there used to be a consensus (especially in the MT) about how impossible it is to get lying snow in March. Here we are in late March, and some of the least likely areas to see a snowflake during an entire winter with the effects of the guff stream (allowing for palm trees to grow) has been hardest hit with many, many feet of snow paralysing relatively remote and isolated areas. In some sense, the geography of Kintyre and Arran may make them the worst possible areas to be badly affected by a snowfall with vital routes being cut-off and subsequently various communities being isolated from the outside world despite the relative proximity to Glasgow. But in these situations, the islanders and rural folk have brought out the best of the community spirit with the most vulnerable being looked after - a very different society to suburban areas). Hopefully here the situation improves for everyone and the wildlife. For Arran, easter is an important time of year but I hope that the effects of this cold spell won't hit the islanders and farmers further down the line. I suppose, be it wind, rain, snow, sun or warm or cold, there is always going to be a cost or a consequence to what the weather throws at us - that is just a simple fact of nature - but for what the weather actually stands for, in its own pure, natural and dynamic way is what makes people (and Brits, not to mention Kilters) talk about it, interested in it and love it.

There's still lying snow - mainly on the grass which makes measurements a bit more difficult but probably arpund 2cm. The whole area is looking very good under the blanket of snow, especially the fields and the Campsie Fells where there were some massive drifts. The last of the snow was during the afternoon which remarkably made this season snowier than 2010/2011! And the strong easterly wind felt bitter. The most notable thing about yesterday was that the maximum temperature was only 1C at Glasgow airport. I had a look through the records going back to 1973 and only one day in March 1980 equalled todays high. I find that amazing, considering how late it is the month and roughly this time last year it was 20C. I enjoy an element of winter in our Spring weather, but into April I'd be nice to actually have some proper Spring weather and also the last of the winter weather (ala 2012) and the first of the summer weather (such as 2011). But it has to be said that this month probably is the March equivalent to November 2010. Each month has also contributed to the winter 2012/2013 in its own way (December had coldest maximum temperature, joint coldest, longest spell of lying snow; January had the longest run of temperatures below 5C, joint snowiest month/ most consecutive days with snow at Glasgow airport; February had the largest snow-depth here and the most air frosts....).

It's been a very snowy evening like it was at Hampden. A shame about the result and the performance from Scotland tonight - our squad is a lot better than that but all Rhodes through Forrests lead to Euro 2016! The good news is that it's a very wintry looking scene outside with the snow driven by the strong SEly wind. And I'm glad to say that despite the snow-melt earlier, it is settling again and just about everything is white. Hopefully the front will continue to bring more snow overnight but this would cause further problems from the hardest hit areas in the SW.

Brrrrr. Sensationally cold for late March and it's even more bitter in that brisk wind! I woke up to a very wintry scene with 2cm of snow on all surfaces and there has been snowfall here throughout the day. If my memory is correct, I think this is the latest date for lying snow here since I can remember. Sadly just about all of snow has gone except a few patches on the ground but I'm delighted to have seen such a wintry scene this late in the season, and also this season's snow diary has equalled the no. of snowfall days recorded in 2010/2011. Snow and cold by no means is unusual in March, but the persistence and how potent it has been (especially for the second half of the month) has been amazing. And one other remarkable thing is that easterlies are still feeding very cold air. At Glasgow airport, the maximum temperature was 3C, recorded during the early hours - which is a shame as the coldest maximum for March since 2000 was 2C. It's still snowing but the flakes are too small and the wind is too strong for it to settle again so hopefully it'll become more promising later this evening. It's now certain that the very winter-like conditions will last into next week - possibly ending with a snowy breakdown. I don't see this month being the coldest on record but come review, this month should go down in Scottish weather history (like March last year, but for very different reasons). And once this cold and snowy weather is out the way I intend to do a review of the winter weather that's been here since late October and it has to be said that there hasn't been a lack of cold weather since Autumn. For April, I'd like to see more classic Spring-like weather for once, with the first warmth, more sunshine and April showers and some generally normal and pleasant Spring conditions aswell as the last of the winter weather.

Radar looking good. Here's hoping that Glasgow gets a pasting. The next snowfall here would equal 2010/2011 which is quite impressive and hopefully the latest date for lying snow too. Very low maximum temperatures and the cold set to last into next week. This could be a historic month to reflect back on, and a polar opposite to March last year! For now it's time for bed. Hopefully a snowy scene to wake up to in the morn.