Stromness weather

Headline:

Sunshine and showers with Shetland most favoured.

Today:

A day of sunshine and light showers with outbreaks occasional over Orkney and isolated across Shetland. Temperatures still below the mid-December averages despite the sunshine. Winds light mainly from the southeast. Maximum temperature 5 °C.

Tonight:

Shetland keeping clear spells, light winds and only the odd light shower tonight. Across Orkney cloud and showers will gradually increase from the south, as the southeast breeze picks up. Minimum temperature 0 °C.

Tuesday:

Rather cloudy day with frequent showers, however drier and brighter for a time across Shetland through the early to mid-morning. Winds cyclonic occasionally freshening. Maximum temperature 6 °C.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Wednesday mainly dry and sunny. Thursday brings strong to gale southeast winds as bands of rain cross from the south. Further rainbands crossing from south Friday.

Updated: 04:00 (UTC) on Mon 16 Dec 2019

There should be plenty of sunshine around on Friday with temperatures expected to remain above average. However, some coastal showers can be expected before winds increase from the south, accompanied by a spell of rain. Thereafter, it will turn milder and unsettled again as further bands of rain and strong winds edge in from the west. Changeable and sometimes windy conditions will probably last for the rest of the period. Most of the rain will probably be in the west with drier spells more likely in the east and southeast. Snow may occur at times in the north, mainly on high ground. There remains a chance of brief drier, colder interludes, with an increased risk of frost and fog.

Updated: 04:00 (UTC) on Mon 16 Dec 2019

Confidence is low throughout this period. Changeable and sometimes windy conditions seem more likely through late December, with the wetter weather in the west and longer drier spells in the east. By the time we go into January, longer spells of more widely dry, quiet and bright weather are possible, especially for southern and central areas, with the northwest more likely to remain unsettled. Temperatures should be near to or somewhat above average overall, but with the usual day to day variations. However in quieter spells, it is likely to be colder generally, with an increased risk of frost and fog.

Updated: 04:00 (UTC) on Mon 16 Dec 2019