Clouds bring milder temperatures to Scotland as south-east England freezes

PARTS of Scotland were up to 15 degrees warmer than south-east England than this morning.

The Met Office recorded a temperature of 9.1 degrees in Sutherland, Scotland, at around 4am, while a low of minus 6.5 degrees was recorded in Frittenden, Kent, at around 5.45am.

The variation is caused by cloud cover, with cloudy skies resulting in milder weather in the north, while clear skies in the south led to a much chillier start to the day.

Forecaster Craig Small said: “It can happen at this time of year, any time between autumn and spring.”

He said the South East had clear skies overnight and, with cold air coming from the continent, temperatures dropped.

Other parts of the country were under a blanket of cloud which helped keep temperatures up.

“Two ends of the spectrum of winter weather,” he said. “It’s definitely a big contrast today across the country.”

As the day progresses, the difference in temperature is expected to become less pronounced, with a high of 10 or 11 degrees forecast for Scotland, and temperatures in the South East expected to climb to 4 or 5 degrees.

Temperatures in Scotland later this week are even expected to reach higher levels than parts of Spain.