Skip to content

In pictures: Rapid thaw after Arctic weather

SAIS Southern Cairngorms The signs read: "Home run" "Glas Maol" "Coire Fionn" and "Corrour". The signs are covered in snow and rime ice.SAIS Southern Cairngorms
Signs in the Southern Cairngorms on Sunday in a picture taken by Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS)

Mild weather has lifted temperatures by almost 30 degrees in just a few days in parts of northern Scotland.

In Altnaharra, Sutherland, in the early hours of Saturday temperatures fell to -18.9C - the UK's coldest January night in 15 years.

But there has been milder weather since Sunday and snow that had lain for days rapidly disappeared, with daytime temperatures widely in the Highlands reaching 12C, or higher.

SAIS Southern Cairngorms The signs read: "Glas Maol" "Coire Fionn Bowl and Gully" and "Coire Fionn"SAIS Southern Cairngorms
Signs in the Southern Cairngorms 48 hours after the first image was taken. Mountains in the background show significant snow loss.

BBC Scotland weather presenter Gillian Smart the mild conditions could linger for a few days more.

She said: "We have low pressure to the north of Scotland and an area of high pressure centred to the south, which sets up a pattern of south westerly winds.

"After the Arctic plunge of last week, this wind direction has brought much milder air our way, lifting temperatures in parts of northern Scotland almost 30 degrees in just a couple of days."

Gillian added: "It'll remain relatively mild through the rest of this week, but there's uncertainty over next week's forecast.

"Some models are suggesting a return to wetter and windier weather."

Biba/BBC Weather Watchers The waterfall is among an area of trees some of the water is frozen and there are large icicles. Biba/BBC Weather Watchers
A waterfall at Brora in Sutherland pictured on Sunday by a BBC Weather Watcher
Biba/BBC Weather Watchers The waterfall is in full flow. There are sprays of white water where it hits rocks.Biba/BBC Weather Watchers
The same waterfall 24 hours later
Winterhighland Ski tows and cables are covered in ice and there is a covering of snow below. Cloud obscures mountains in the background.Winterhighland
A chilly scene at Glencoe Mountain ski resort on Sunday
Winterhighland The ski tows and cables are free of ice and the snow has disappeared from the rocky ground below and the mountains beyond.Winterhighland
The same location on Tuesday
SAIS Southern Cairngorms An avalanche forecaster's dog wades through a drift of snow. The tan coloured dog is looking at the camera and is wearing a bright yellow collar. There are mountains in low cloud in the background.SAIS Southern Cairngorms
The Southern Cairngorms, pictured on Friday, was among parts of the north of Scotland to have deep snow
SAIS Southern Cairngorms The mountain landscape has lost almost all its snow. There are a SAIS Southern Cairngorms
The Spittal of Glenshee in the Southern Cairngorms on Tuesday following the thaw
Related internet links