Scotland hits 19.6°C: UK records highest January temperature

The UK has provisionally recorded its warmest ever January day, as a village in Scotland hits 19.6°C.

On Sunday 28th January 2024, a weather station in a Scottish village, Kinlochewe, in the north-west Highlands hit 19.6°C.

This, if confirmed, would break the highest temperature ever recorded in the month of January in the UK. It would also be a new winter temperature record for Scotland.

The previous record was set in 2003 with 18.3°C in Inchmarlo and Aboyne, both in Aberdeenshire, and also Aber in Gwynedd, Wales in 1958 and 1971, smashing this out the park by a staggering 1.3°C.

In the wake of stormy weather, mild southerly air has been drawn up from Africa, bringing above-average temperatures. The warmer weather specifically in the Highlands is also a result of the foehn effect.

In the foehn effect, air is forced to rise over the mountains, losing its moisture and warming on its descent the other side. It is common for causing quite contrasting conditions across Scotland.

The winds are also carrying some Saharan dust, which may settle on cars in the coming days, especially in any rain.

In the coming days temperatures will fluctuate around average, with generally milder conditions to the south and cooler conditions to the north.