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Orkney & Shetland: forecast

Location weather forecasts:

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SW Scotland, Lothian Borders North West England North East England Yorkshire & Humber Wales East Midlands West Midlands East of England London & South East England South West England Northern Ireland Central, Tayside & Fife Grampian Highlands & Eilean Siar Orkney & Shetland Strathclyde

Weather warnings

No severe weather warnings have been issued for Orkney & Shetland
Thu 4 Dec Fri 5 Dec Sat 6 Dec Sun 7 Dec Mon 8 Dec Key
When warnings have been issued, the relevent regions will be coloured on these maps.

Weather forecast: Orkney & Shetland

Headline:

Outbreaks of rain. Strong to gale force southeast winds.

Today:

Cloudy with outbreaks of rain or sleet, occasional heavy over Orkney, but lighter over Shetland with some drier spells. The southeasterly winds strong to gale force. Maximum temperature 5 °C.

Tonight:

Staying mostly cloudy with showers or longer outbreaks of rain, although drier and clearer spells possible over Shetland. Winds backing east or northeast, still strong to gale force. Minimum temperature 2 °C.

Friday:

Shetland bright with scattered wintry showers, mostly cloudy at first over Orkney with showers, but brighter spells developing during the day. The northeasterly winds easing moderate to fresh. Maximum temperature 5 °C.

Updated: 0259 on Thu 4 Dec 2008

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

Bright with scattered wintry showers on Saturday, then mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain on Sunday, the southwesterly winds becoming strong. Bright with wintry showers on Monday.

Updated: 0259 on Thu 4 Dec 2008

UK Outlook for Monday 8 Dec 2008 to Wednesday 17 Dec 2008:

On Monday rain is expected to clear away southwards, with colder, brighter conditions with scattered showers following from the north. These showery conditions will continue into Tuesday and will be wintry in nature on higher ground in the north. Then later in the week we are expecting a north south split in the weather, with northern areas probably dry at first but soon becoming unsettled with showers or longer spells of rain, along with snow on hills and a risk of gales. Southern areas will become mainly dry with sunny periods, but with a risk of wintry showers near windward coasts. Temperatures here will be rather cold and overnight fog and frost are likely. From the weekend onwards conditions will remain changeable, although temperatures may recover slightly in southern areas.

Updated: 1237 on Wed 3 Dec 2008

Seasonal forecasting:

Seasonal forecasting is a developing area of meteorology and, although these forecasts are not as accurate as our short-term forecasts, they do demonstrate some skill in predicting what may happen for a season (a three-month period) ahead.

The forecasts provide an estimation of broad trends in temperature and rainfall and will normally be expressed in probabilistic terms, with the more likely outcome highlighted. Information contained in these forecasts can allow business to plan ahead for weather that is forecast to be different from normal.

Winter 2008/9 - Issued: Thu 25 Sep 2008

Autumn 2008 - Updated: Wed 24 Sep 2008

Summer 2008 - forecast for the remainder of summer Updated: Wed 30 Jul 2008

Spring 2008 - forecast appraisal Updated: Wed 6 Aug 2008

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