Northern Scotland experienced its coldest January night in 15 years on Friday, as temperatures in the hamlet of Altnaharra plunged to -17.3°C, the Met Office confirmed. The significant drop occurred just before 8:00 PM, marking a stark reminder of the ongoing cold snap gripping the region.
The bone-chilling temperature is the lowest recorded in January since 2010, when the mercury dropped below -15°C multiple times across the UK, including an extreme -22.3°C in Altnaharra on January 8 that year.
Forecasters had anticipated cold conditions but had not expected the temperature to fall below -18°C on Friday. However, they noted a slim possibility that the mercury could dip as low as -19°C.
Icy Grip Across the Highlands
The cold wave has brought freezing conditions to other parts of northern Scotland as well. In Braemar, Aberdeenshire, overnight temperatures were recorded at -7.5°C, while Altnaharra had already seen a low of -14.5°C on Thursday night.
The frigid weather forced more than 50 schools in the Highlands to close on Friday, with 13 additional closures reported in Aberdeenshire. Pupils in Moray, Shetland, and the Outer Hebrides also faced disruptions, with many schools shutting their doors for the day.
What’s Ahead for the Weekend?
The Met Office has warned that temperatures across the UK will continue to drop over the weekend. Meteorologist Alex Deakin predicted that Friday night into Saturday morning could mark the coldest point of the current spell.
In Scottish towns and cities, overnight lows are expected to range from -2°C to -5°C, with the Highlands potentially plunging to -14°C or -15°C. These figures contrast sharply with the average January low of 0.3°C in northern Scotland.
Zoe Hutin, another Met Office meteorologist, said cloud coverage may prevent temperatures from falling further in some areas but cautioned that rural and eastern regions remain vulnerable to freezing conditions.
“Saturday night could be equally chilly, especially in East Anglia, the northeast of England, and northern and eastern Scotland,” she noted.
Looking ahead to Sunday and Monday, temperatures are expected to recover slightly, though they will remain below average. “It will feel comparatively more pleasant than it is now,” Ms. Hutin added.
Burst Pipes on the Rise
The prolonged cold snap has led to significant challenges across the country. Scottish Water reported a 30% rise in burst water mains, along with increased reports of burst pipes in homes and businesses.
A spokesperson for the company explained that the fluctuations in temperature are causing pipes to fracture, warning that incidents are likely to rise over the weekend as temperatures continue to dip before climbing next week.
“We will work to repair bursts on our network as quickly as possible,” the spokesperson assured, while urging property owners to address issues on their premises promptly.
A Long, Bitter Cold
This January’s cold spell is notable for its duration, according to the Met Office. Unlike previous years, when cold snaps typically lasted two or three days, this week’s freezing conditions have deepened progressively each night.
Although relief is on the horizon, with milder conditions expected next week, the chill has left a lasting mark on northern Scotland and the rest of the UK. For now, residents are bracing for another bitterly cold weekend.
