Snow is forecast to hit parts of Scotland from around 6pm on Wednesday, November 11, as a band of rain sweeps down the country, according to Met Office maps. The wintry blast follows a warning from the national forecaster that a "colder outbreak" could bring "wintry showers" to the northern UK.
Snowfall expected in Highlands and Grampian
The snowfall is first predicted to affect higher parts of Scotland, including Fort Augustus and Kingussie, before spreading to Orkney and Shetland on Wednesday evening. Through the night, residents in Aberlour, Golspie, Inverness, and Aberdeen are expected to see snow as the colder weather front continues.
Weather maps indicate that the Highlands and Grampian areas will see wintry showers throughout Thursday, November 12, accompanied by scattered rainfall as a fresh wind brings a chill to the air, with frost also likely to develop.
South Scotland braces for sub-zero temperatures
While the north battles snow, the south is set to experience even cooler temperatures that drop into minus figures. By 6pm on Wednesday, temperatures in Cumnock and Biggar are predicted to sit at -1C, with Kilmarnock, Moffat and Hawick at 0C.
Temperatures are expected to continue dropping overnight, with many parts of Dumfries and Galloway, Strathclyde and the Borders waking up to temperatures as low as -2C on Thursday morning. With daytime highs barely reaching 5C, temperatures are forecast to fall back into minus digits by early evening.
Unsettled conditions ahead
The last of the snow is expected to hit Ullapool and surrounding areas in the early hours of Friday morning (November 13), with rain persisting through Friday and into the weekend. The Met Office's forecast for Grampian and the Highlands from Wednesday to Friday reads: "Turning colder Wednesday and Thursday as a freshening northerly wind brings bright spells and a few showers, perhaps wintry for a time. Bright spells and showers Friday. Overnight frost possible."
The Met Office's long-range forecast from November 13 to November 22 states: "High pressure will initially dominate, leading to widely settled conditions and overnight frost. A few showers will be possible, particularly in northern and western Scotland, and perhaps along some North Sea coasts for a time."
Later in the weekend, a transition to more unsettled conditions is expected as bands of rain and associated areas of low pressure arrive from the North Atlantic, bringing more widespread wet and windy weather. The forecast adds: "It is likely to remain fairly changeable through the remainder of the period, with occasional rain interspersed with brighter, showery spells. Whilst colder conditions will be possible at times, especially at first, it will often be mild, with temperatures near or a little above average for the time of year."
