Orkney & Shetland weather

Headline:

Frequent showers

Today:

Largely cloudy throughout the day but a few bright spells possible. Scattered showers through the day, perhaps becoming more prolonged spells of rain at times. Light winds. Maximum temperature 7 °C.

Tonight:

Staying largely cloudy through the evening with scattered showers or longer spells of rain. Scattered showers continue overnight with variable amounts of cloud. Light winds. Minimum temperature 2 °C.

Wednesday:

Wednesday will see bright spells interspersed with further scattered showers in variable amounts of cloud and a light wind. Maximum temperature 6 °C.

Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:

Mainly dry and bright Thursday, but the odd shower. Rain at times on Friday and very strong winds developing. Rain turning showery on Saturday as winds begin to lessen.

Updated: 04:00 (UTC) on Tue 21 Jan 2025

This looks like being and unsettled and disturbed period of weather across much of the country, but especially for northern and western parts, with southern and eastern areas probably missing the worst of the conditions a lot of the time. Over the weekend, after Friday's deep low and associated stormy weather, another system looks likely to move towards the UK from the Atlantic, driven in by the strong jet stream. There is the potential for further weather warnings or even a named storm at some point. Temperatures overall, are likely to end up being around normal or slightly above average, though given the strength of wind at times, it probably won't feel especially mild, especially when it's raining too.

Updated: 14:00 (UTC) on Mon 20 Jan 2025

Generally mild at first, with periods of rain, showers and strong winds, alternating with short-lived brighter and cooler interludes, but with time these should become increasingly confined to northern parts. Pressure may build across southern areas, which would result in longer drier and more-settled spells here, albeit with an increased chance of overnight fog and frost with temperatures falling correspondingly.

Updated: 15:00 (UTC) on Mon 20 Jan 2025