Areas that won't see snow on Valentine's Day as Scandinavian air threatens Scotland whiteout
The most romantic weekend of the year is nearly here - but turbulent weather could disrupt some couples' plans. Valentine's Day falls on a Friday this year, meaning romantics will have a couple of days off work to celebrate.
However, many Scots might choose to cosy up at home rather than brave the elements for a romantic date after checking the weather forecast. Despite us now being in February, the winter weather seems to be persisting.
Weather maps from WX Charts suggest that much of Scotland could be covered in snow that weekend, with the first flurries arriving late on Valentine's Day. This is due to a large high-pressure system which is set to strengthen over Scandinavia and Russia in the coming days, spelling some beastly conditions later this month.
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Parts of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Dundee, Fife and Perth and Kinross will all be hit by the light snowfall.
The majority of the central Highlands won't get a fresh hit, but the low temperatures will keep snow lying on the ground. The same will be seen in parts of West Lothian, Lanarkshire and the Scottish Borders.
However, not everywhere will be dumped with the white stuff.
The southwest and far north are set to be entirely untouched by the wintery blast.
Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway will get off scot free. Meanwhile, Glasgow won't be touched by any sprinkles of snowflakes this week, meaning loved-up Weegies can venture out for a slap up meal or cinema date if they wish.
The far northern Highlands as well as the northwest islands will not see any snow, either.
On the day itself, though, February 14 is likely to avoid the worst of the weather. The first snow showers are expected in the Cairngorms area that evening before a much larger weather front moves in from down south.
By the morning of Saturday, February 15, much of central Scotland is forecast to see snow, with flurries predicted in Stirlingshire, Perthshire, Tayside and Dundee. Snow showers are also likely in the Borders and South Lanarkshire.
The primary weather front is set to head northwards throughout the day, with snowfall expected to focus on the Cairngorms once again. Aberdeenshire is also braced for a dusting of the white stuff.
The snow will intensify late Saturday night, blanketing most of central Scotland and bringing fresh snowstorms to the northwest Highlands. Meanwhile, for those areas not in line for snow, heavy rain is predicted to sweep the nation overnight, carried from the Atlantic.
The Met Office's forecast from February 9-18 states: "At first, there is the chance of more widespread precipitation, most likely mainly rain, across southernmost areas, before this clears away. Thereafter, there is a risk of some sleet or snow showers feeding in on the east to south-easterly wind, though many places may remain dry.
"A small chance of Atlantic fronts making inroads from the west... which could also bring the possibility of at least transient snow. Overnight frost is likely to feature during this period, particularly where skies are clear."
