The bladdy weather

[JamieRegan]

Ok, so after a week or more of glorious weather in Scotland, we're now forecast snow and my trip up through the Hebrides next week is presenting me with another challenge (as if it wasn't going to be challenging enough).

Do any of you have a weather service you rely on? I know the BBC is generally good, but they can all say different things and who knows what to believe.

 

[Ticktockmy]

From my experiences of cycling in the Hebrides, is that the weather can be as bad mid summer as in the winter, with high winds, thunderstorms, hail and sleet. weather in the Hebrides seems to be very local. Barra can be sunny and Uist can be raining, so the weather forecasting agencies can only give a general out look. Best to just stick your head out the door in the morning wherever you are and see what happening.

 

[snorri]

Sometimes it's better not to know what the weather has in store for you in the Islands, just travel with an optimistic outlook and plenty of clothing in the panniers.

 

[rollinstok]

Best to check a 5 day forecast from a local weather station on the internet, may even be a beeb station
Not sure about BBC Scotland, but here in the North of England we only get a mention if we are having extremes of something. We're almost an afterthought usually.
Either way I dont envy you in the Hebrides in April, hope the weather turns out to be better than predicted.

 

[saoirse50]

I, too, am heading up to Scotland. Tomorrow, on the sleeper, alighting at Rannoch in the morning, then heading east first, then northwest up to Skye. I have spent 3 of the last 5 Easters in Scotland, and the weather has ranged from, warmish, windyish, wettish to downright wintry ( -5 and blizzards 2 years ago). However, even that year the weather ended up being sunny and clear, if not warm and wind free.
The BBC weather is Ok. Pretty accurate. The problem with Scotland is the weather is so changeable. When touring, I take a small radio and try and find local forecasts. I would definitely plan for wind in the Outer Hebrides. I have never visited without experiencing at least a couple of days of powerful winds. But if you are lucky and they are tailwinds, that can be great. Just make sure you have enough kit to keep you warm and dry. Plan for the worst, and hopefully you will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[toroddf]

I have been to many extreme places on this planet and frozen a lot. I visited the Outer Hebrides two years ago in July and I would most definate put those islands on par with some of the more extreme places in the northern hemispheres. That is why I will be a lot more prepared next time I go there. My mistake was to treat those islands as they climate wise were a part of mainland Scotland and the inner islands. Big mistake !

Not to scare anyone, but treat Barra, the Uists, Harris and Lewis with the utmost respect and one or two notches up from the rest of Scotland. Coming back to my experiences, I now regard Outer Hebrides on par with the North Cape area and Finnmark/Troms in Norway.

And the weather forescast is not good for the coming days and I have cancelled my own two days long bikeride starting tomorrow from Rannoch Moor. I was out yesterday on a 50 miler and that was a freezing sobering experience. The polar bear now moving to Scotland will indeed find a climate fitting his name.

 

[snorri]

The delightful Cat Cubie will tell you what's in store weatherwise for Scotland....here http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/iv18 and Click on the video.

 

[albion]

Snow flurries for the last few hours here in Newcastle

The local station for Newcastle Abermarle dipped below 0C at 2pm so maybe worse is to come.

 

[Cush]

Our touring caravan is sheltered by the gable end of the house to the right and a massive shed to the rear but at15:00 I found it six forward and three foot to the left and the steadies were still down. This has never happened in the twenty six years we have been in this house. So any one traveling near Carlisle take care.

 

[toroddf]

Yeah, stay well clear of Glasgow and the rest of Scotland now. Snow storms are slamming into my castle on a regular basis and the roads above 150 meters/450 feet above sea level are snow covered. The rest of the roads down to sea level seems a bit dodgy too. Not to mention the bitterly cold wind from Iceland. Windchill included, we have had a 30 degrees celcius drop since last Tuesday. So stay away, stay safe.

My Tuesday bikeride was cancelled and reduced to a short walk/run/sprint to my local Tesco supermarket for food. Not a pleasant experience while I was singing to a Bob Dylan song "where are all the bikini girls gone.... where are all the bikini girls gone...."

 

[Rasmus]

It was even snowing here in central Glasgow this morning - that was unexpected. But it seems the current arctic conditions will become a little more manageable within a couple of days.

I'm off on Friday for an easter trip of my own - three days heading to Mallaig via Oban, Mull and Ardnamurchan. I'm not really worried about the temperature. The wind, on the other hand, is looking like it could be a real issue.

 

[DCLane]

I'm hoping it all clears up for the 14th/15th of April when I've a Coast-to-Coast planned from Workington to Sunderland. Over the tops could be a bit

 

[Cush]

It's always bloody cold and windy (but great) from Hartside to the otherside of Consett, so take winter kit with you.