Feeling the heat in Wick!
The scorching temperatures in Wick on Saturday marked the fifth hottest May day in the last 114 years, according to a local weather expert.
Keith Banks described it as a “red letter day” with the town basking in its warmest day for May since 2017 – and the fifth hottest day in May since 1910.
Mr Banks said: “On Saturday, unbroken sunshine and gentle breezes helped boost the temperature in the town to values well above the average for May. A peak reading of 20.1C (68.2F) occurred late morning. That temperature was an impressive 8C above the long-term average maximum for Wick in May.
“The temperature could have topped 21C (70F) if the southerly breeze had not backed to SSE and wafted cooler sea air over the burgh.”
He said that Friday was also warm for the time of the year, with a top temperature of 17.1C (62.8F) witnessed mid afternoon.
“To put the temperature recorded on Saturday into context, readings of 20.0C (68F) or higher have only been logged on four other occasions in Wick since 1910,” Mr Banks added. “The last time was on May 26, 2017 when the mercury peaked at 21.4C (70 5F).
“The highest temperature to date for Wick for any date in May is currently 22.0C (71.6F), on May 30, 1982.”
Mr Banks went on: “A few miles inland, away from the breeze, temperatures would have been in the range 21-22C (72-73F) at favoured locations such as Halkirk, Thurso and Reay, perhaps reaching highs of 23C. Further inland, locations such as Kinbrace, Altnabreac and Altnaharra would have sizzled at 24C-25C (75-77F).
“Today, Monday, the best temperature here in Wick in the chilly moderate easterly breeze has been a decidedly mediocre 12.5C (54.5F) – a little above the seasonal average of 12.0C (53.6F).
“The recent spell of fine weather was caused by a large area of high pressure centred over Scandinavia. A southerly airflow associated with this feature carried very warm continental air across the British Isles.”