Warmest October day in a decade for Wick – but gales are on the way
Summer-like weather made a brief return to Wick on Thursday as the town enjoyed its warmest October day for a decade.
The temperature rose to 17.1C (62.2F) in the early afternoon, in stark contrast to the previous Thursday when an Arctic air mass covered the area.
Damaging gusts could be on the way for Caithness by the start of next week, though.
Wick weather watcher Keith Banks said: “After a dreich start to the day and a very wet night, with 10.0mm (0.39 of an inch) of rain falling in the 12 hours ending 7am, the overcast conditions gradually melted away – allowing summer-like conditions to return to Caithness.
“In Wick, the mercury responded readily in the long sunny spells and gentle south-westerly breeze, with the temperature peaking at warm 17.1C (62.2F) shortly before 2pm.
“Indeed, Thursday proved to be the town’s hottest day for any October since 2014. On October 18 that year the temperature reached 17.4C (63.3F).
“Thursday’s warmth was in contrast to last Thursday when an Arctic air mass covered the far north and the best temperature recorded in Wick was a raw 8.2C (46.7F).
“The average maximum temperature for the town in October is just 11.8C (53.2F).
“Thursday’s unusual warmth was caused by low pressure to the west and high pressure to the east of the British Isles sourcing warm air from Iberia and the Azores region of the Atlantic.
“The mild conditions for the time of the year will continue. However, decidedly disturbed autumnal conditions will return during the latter part of Sunday, and during Monday morning a very deep and vigorous Atlantic depression is expected to sweep past north-west Scotland and across Shetland.
“When this event occurs, south-easterly winds may reach a sustained force 7 or perhaps gale force 8 across Caithness, veering southerly to south-south-westerly force 7 to 8 early Monday morning before veering south-west to westerly and moderating later in the day.
“Frequent damaging gusts from the south-east and south in the storm 10 and perhaps even violent storm 11 categories will blast exposed parts of Caithness as this violent depression tracks north-eastwards towards and then past north-west Scotland.
“The Met Office has already issued a yellow warning for strong winds on Sunday and Monday. However, after assessing the latest models and ensembles for the north-east Atlantic, I would not be surprised if this is upgraded to amber.”
