Scotland facing Valentine's weekend whiteout as weather maps predict heavy snow showers

Ewan Mowat
·2-min read
Snow is expected in Scotland on Valentine's weekend
-Credit:Getty Images


The most romantic weekend of the year is almost upon us - but the current wild weather might wreak havoc with some couples' plans. With Valentine's Day being a Friday this year, loved-up pairs across the country will have a couple of days away from work to celebrate their relationships.

But many Scots may decide to opt for snuggling up together at home rather than braving the elements for a romantic date at a fancy restaurant after checking out the weather forecast.

The winter weather appears to be showing no signs of letting up, despite us now entering February - and Valentine's weekend is no exception. While red is very much the traditional colour of the romantic holiday, this year it is likely to be white.

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Weather maps from WX Charts, who use Met Desk data, suggest that much of Scotland could be blanketed by snow that weekend, with the first flurries coming late on Valentine's Day.

Thankfully for those planning a date night on the day itself, February 14 is likely to miss the worst of the weather. The first snow showers are expected in the Cairngorms area that evening before a much larger weatherfront moves in from down south.

Snow is expected to develop in Scotland late on Valentine's Day into Saturday morning
Snow is expected to develop in Scotland late on Valentine's Day into Saturday morning -Credit:WX Charts

By the morning of Saturday, February 15, much of central Scotland is forecast to see the white stuff, with flurries predicted from Glasgow up through Stirlingshire and Perthshire and covering Tayside and Dundee. Snow showers are also likely in the Borders and South Lanarkshire.

The main weatherfront will move north as the day goes on, with snow expected to centre around the Cairngorms again, with areas of Aberdeenshire also expecting the white stuff.

The snow will be at its strongest late on Saturday night, with most of central Scotland likely to be covered and fresh snow storms expected in the north-west Highlands. And for those areas not predicted to get snow, heavy rain is forecast to sweep across the whole country overnight from the Atlantic.

In the evening of Saturday, February 15, the snow storms will be focused arond the Cairngorms
In the evening of Saturday, February 15, the snow storms will be focused arond the Cairngorms -Credit:WX Charts
Heavy rain will move move across Scotland while some regions are still blanketed with snow
Heavy rain will move move across Scotland through the night on Saturday while some regions are still blanketed with snow -Credit:WX Charts

The Met Office's long-range forecast for February 9 to 18 reads: "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 southeasterly wind, though many places may remain dry.

"Also a small chance of Atlantic fronts making inroads from the west, especially later in this period, 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."

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