Headline:

Sunshine and showers. Gales, perhaps severem and rain, tonight.

Today:

Sunny spells and occasional showers, some wintry over Shetland this morning. The showers fading in afternoon with the westerly winds easing, then cloud and rain will reach Orkney by evening. Maximum temperature 6 °C.

Tonight:

Rain over Orkney turning heavy and extending to Shetland with snow on hills, Strengthening winds with gales or severe gales for a time tonight. Minimum temperature 2 °C.

Sunday:

Any remaining heavy rain, hill snow and severe gales over Shetland clearing in morning leaving a bright day with sunny intervals and a few showers. Maximum temperature 7 °C.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:

Mostly dry and bright on Monday and Tuesday with some sunny spells. Cloudier on Wednesday with chance of rain or showers.

Rather changeable conditions are expected through this period, as 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. Temperatures will probably be around or a little above normal for the period as a whole, and its possible we may see some pleasantly warm spring weather at times.