Scotland is set for more record breaking weather this week - but forecasters warn that the high temperatures will not last much longer.
The country has already enjoyed the hottest February day and night ever this month and now looks set to beat it again with highs of 19C in some areas on Monday.
The warm temperatures - which would be considered respectable in June or July - are also on track to boost the monthly average, meaning this February could be the hottest on record.
Met Office forecaster John West said: “Scotland’s temperatures have been way, way above average.
“On Monday, Kinloss may see 17C (63F) Cape Wrath 18C (64F) and there’s an outside chance somewhere in the north could go as high as 19C (66F).”
If this happens, Scotland will be warmer than 17C Bermuda and 10C Corfu.
Mr West added that the warmer days, which come almost exactly 12 months to the day the ‘Beast from the East’ hit, could drag up the average temperature to rival the 8.7C (47F) last seen in 1998.
“It looks as if we are going to record an unusually warm February as a whole,” he said.
“We are seeing high pressure over the near continent dominating the UK weather right now.
“This has the effect of deflecting weather fronts away from the UK, effectively keeping the Atlantic at bay.
“This is why we are seeing temperatures way above average for the end of winter.
“Really cold weather in North America is driving a strong Jetstream. We just happen to be on the right side of it.”
However, while Scots are enjoying unseasonable beer garden outings and trips to the beach now, forecasters warn that March will see the weather take a turn for the worse.
Frome March 4, wet and windy weather will return, with stormy spells and winds up to 70mph expected.
While later in the month could even see the return of the white stuff as temperatures plummet again.
Met Office forecaster Dean Hall said: “A stark change is ahead, with later in the week seeing rain and strong winds risking gales.
“Temperatures will return to near normal and the theme of Atlantic systems bringing wet and windy spells looks to remain until late March.
“The North and West will see the strongest winds and could see wintry showers on high ground in Scotland.”
Ex-BBC and Met Office forecaster John Hammond, of weathertrending, added that March’s weather will “bring a shock to the system” after February’s unusually pleasant temperatures.
“A burst of jet stream energy will bring wet and windy weather, with a turbulent, even stormy, few days from March 4,” he said.
“The start of spring looks a good deal chillier than the end of February, with snowfall most likely across high ground of northern Britain.
“March 11-24 has more rain, wind and snow expected.”
On Thursday, temperatures reached a high of 18.3C at Aboyne in Aberdeenshire - a temperature which is both Scotland’s all-time February record and joint winter high since records began 178 years ago in 1841.
Supermarkets experienced an out-of-season ‘BBQ weekend’ rush for burgers, drinks and picnic food, while pub beer gardens reopened in winter.
Met Office forecaster Ken McEwan said: “People are on the beach, eating outside and pub beer gardens are open – and that’s certainly unusual for February in Scotland.”
The high temperatures are treble the usual 6-7C February maximums.
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