Edinburgh's weather: Spring heatwave could be over in '˜blink of an eye'

Scots are being urged to get out into the garden in the coming days to make the most of the spring heatwave that 'could be over in the blink of an eye'.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Met Office has forecast temperatures will rise to around 16C today and tomorrow before climbing to a high of 21C from Thursday, making this easily the hottest week of the year to date.

Indeed, on Thursday Edinburgh will experience a high of 18C on Thursday in the midst of the ‘heatwave’.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The recent cold wet weather and weeks of cooler than average conditions means plants have remained in bud longer than normal, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) said.

Locals have been told to enjoy the good weather when it lasts.Locals have been told to enjoy the good weather when it lasts.
Locals have been told to enjoy the good weather when it lasts.

But with sunshine and warmer temperatures forecast, there was likely to be a short, intense burst of spring flowering as everything from magnolias to cherry blossom and wood anemones reach their peak.

The RHS said while the spring displays would be “magnificent”, they could be over within days as summer flowers take over.

The society’s chief horticulturalist Guy Barter said: “I would urge people to get outside into their gardens or visit green spaces this weekend as spring could be over in the blink of an eye and you really don’t want to miss what’s coming. “Look out for daffodils. They are usually over by now, but later flowers are still stupendous.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Barter said now was also a good time to start sowing seeds and preparing gardens for the coming season, which many gardeners have not yet managed to do. And he offered some words of reassurance for those gardeners who have not yet pulled on their wellies and got into the garden.

Locals have been told to enjoy the good weather when it lasts.Locals have been told to enjoy the good weather when it lasts.
Locals have been told to enjoy the good weather when it lasts.

“Although it is good to sow seeds and plant in March, plants do little growing until April and peak growth does not occur until June, so there is no need to be downhearted as in all likelihood there will be little difference in summer flowering,” he said.

A spokesman for the Met Office said the first prolonged warm spell of spring would be “a lot warmer” than so far this year.

He added: “After a cloudy start to the week in western Scotland with some rain on Tuesday, sunshine will build. Temperatures could sneak to 21C in the Borders and 19C in Glasgow by Thursday.”