Orkney & Shetland weather

Headline:

Cloudy and windy with rain Thursday.

This Evening and Tonight:

Dry and cold at first this evening. Cloud will thicken from the west overnight bringing the odd shower. Freshening southeasterly winds, becoming strong across Orkney later. Minimum temperature 1 °C.

Thursday:

All parts will have a cloudy day with occasional rain. Rain turning persistent in the evening. Windy with strong to gale southeasterly winds. Maximum temperature 7 °C.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday:

A rather cloudy few days with occasional rain, some drier weather too. Light winds. Less cold than of late.

Updated: 16:00 (UTC) on Wed 6 Dec 2023

This period is likely to often be unsettled with areas of low pressure tracking northeastwards close to or over the UK. This means bands of rain moving in from the west or southwest, interspersed with brighter showery conditions. As such, the wettest weather is likely to be across western high ground, though all parts could see some heavy rain at times. There is a greater than normal likelihood of periods of very windy weather too. Potential for a drier spell of weather to develop for a time around mid-month, particularly in the south, with frost and fog more prevalent. Overall, a relatively mild period for the UK, with above average temperatures more likely than not, especially so in the south and west.

Updated: 14:00 (UTC) on Wed 6 Dec 2023

Most likely to be unsettled with further bands of rain crossing the UK with brighter conditions and showers in between. The wettest and windiest conditions are most likely in the west and northwest. The chance of a colder spell of weather, with hazard such as snow and ice, does increase later in December and into the New Year period. However, conditions are more likely to remain generally mild and wet.

Updated: 15:00 (UTC) on Wed 6 Dec 2023