North Ronaldsay Airfield (Orkney Islands) weather

Headline:

Cloudy with persistent rain turning showery in the afternoon.

Today:

The morning will begin cloudy with persistent rain. This rain will turn to the occasional shower over Shetland by midday and over Orkney by mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 6 °C.

Tonight:

Clear spells will increase form the evening but these will be interspersed with showers, these becoming more frequent towards the morning. Minimum temperature 1 °C.

Saturday:

Bright spells and scattered showers at first. The showers clear from the south as cloud spreads north during the morning. Gales and rain will follow over Orkney by the evening. Maximum temperature 5 °C.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

Heavy rain, hill snow and severe gales clear Sunday morning, leaving a few afternoon showers. Mostly dry but cloudy Monday and Tuesday.

Rather changeable conditions are expected through this period, as a series of Atlantic frontal systems track eastwards across the UK, accompanied by some strong winds at times. These will bring occasional spells of rain or showers, heaviest and most frequent in the west and northwest, with longer drier interludes likely in the south and sheltered eastern areas. Whilst temperatures will be close to average for the period as a whole, there may be opportunities for some short-lived warm spells in the south and east. Conversely, occasional colder interludes in the northwest will bring the chance of some wintry showers, especially to hills, and overnight frost.

It is probable that more blocked, or at least slowly evolving, weather patterns will become increasingly dominant through the middle of the month. Whilst confidence is low, this may result in more settled and drier conditions overall. There may, however, still be some more unsettled interludes at times, especially in the south and southwest. Later in April, the probability of more changeable and unsettled weather increases. Temperatures will probably be around or a little above normal for the period as a whole.