From STV
Scotland is set for its hottest weather of the year this weekend with tropical temperatures expected in parts.

North-eastern Scotland is expected to see temperatures of up to 17C, compared with 15C in London on Saturday.

It could mean parts of the country will see warmer weather than holiday island Corfu and Istanbul in Turkey.

Forecasters say the sudden rise in temperatures expected is due to hot air from the Caribbean arriving in the UK.

However, the air will also bring the risk of heavy rain and the risk of flooding in the west of Scotland.

STV weatherman Sean Batty said: “Scotland could see it’s warmest weather so far this year with temperatures reaching the mid-teens on Saturday.

“Warm air that’s travelled from the Caribbean will bring some very mild conditions, but also a lot of rain, and the risk of flooding to the west.

“A strong Foehn wind will develop on Saturday with very moist air, drying out and warming nicely, as it descends on the eastern side of the Grampians.

“This means the best place to be will be in the north east of the mainland, around Moray and Aberdeenshire, where temperatures could be around 16C or 17C on Saturday.

“This would break the temperature record for 2015 so far, with the highest being 15.6C recorded at Fyvie Castle on the February 18.

“While the north east enjoys the drier and very mild conditions the west will pay the price in the form of some very wet weather and flooding.

“The wettest weather will be around Skye, Lochalsh, Lochaber and Fort William where 4 inches of rain could fall during Friday and Saturday, which along with snowmelt on the mountains, could lead to some flooding issues.

“There will also be strong winds with gales and the risk of severe gales in the north west.

“On Sunday the rain and wind will slowly ease, which means the energy will be taken out of the Foehn wind and the temperatures in the north east will ease back.

“On Sunday afternoon the temperature will be back to around 8C in Aberdeenshire and 6C in the north Highlands, roughly where they should be for the time of year.”

IMAGE: Balmedie Beach, Aberdeenshire. Hot: Scotland to see warmest weather of year. Richard Slessor

For more on this story go to: http://news.stv.tv/highlands-islands/312704-scotland-set-for-hottest-weather-of-year-17c-caribbean-air-arrives/

Related story:

Here comes the sun! ‘Caribbean’ heat-wave to make West Country weekend weather hotter than Corfu

By Western Daily Press | Posted: March 05, 2015

Forecasters reckon it will be the warmest weekend of the year with temperatures soaring to 15C in some areas.

A Met Office spokesman predicted a “marked change” on Saturday as spring finally gets under way after a chilly week.

It means temperatures could be higher than in Istanbul and Corfu this weekend.

The Met Office’s Simon Partridge said: “We are going to have some milder conditions and there will be a marked change with spring temperatures from Saturday.

“We have been there already but not for a while. The most recent highest temperature was at Exeter Airport. It was 16.5C (62F) on the ninth of January.

“The mild weather is coming in the from the South West, which originated in the Caribbean area and across the Atlantic.”

He added: “It’s going to be a marked change and people will feel the difference. In some parts of the country people are going to be having a very pleasant day compared to the weather in the last few weeks.”

The average mean temperature is 6-8C (43-46F) in the north of the UK and 5-6C (41-43F) in the south, he said.

A spokesman for The Weather Channel UK said people in the West will enjoy ‘plenty of sunshine’.

He added: “A nice tongue of warmth will be brought over the UK from the south west later on Friday and on Saturday. At the same time on Saturday much of England and Wales will enjoy plenty of sunshine too so feeling very spring-like.”

IMAGE: Sunseekers in the West will be dusting off their barbecues and sunscreen this weekend as a ‘Caribbean’ heat-wave is due to hit the West Country.

For more on this story go to: http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/comes-sun-Caribbean-heat-wave-hit-West-Country/story-26124506-detail/story.html#ixzz3TWbMcL9M