Residents of the Shetland Islands woke up to an unexpected winter scene after snow showers swept across the area following the coldest May night recorded in the United Kingdom in at least five years.
The unusual weather event surprised many locals, as temperatures dropped far below seasonal averages during the night.
According to weather reports, temperatures in some northern parts of Scotland fell below freezing (-6.1°C / 21.02°F in Altnaharra), creating icy conditions and allowing snow to settle on higher ground in Shetland.
Photographs shared online showed rooftops, hills, and roads covered in a thin layer of snow despite the spring season already being well underway.
Meteorologists explained that a mass of cold Arctic air moved south across the UK, bringing freezing overnight temperatures and wintry showers to northern regions.
While snow in Scotland is not unheard of during May, such low temperatures are considered rare at this time of year.
The cold snap also affected other parts of the country, with frost warnings issued for rural areas and concerns raised among farmers and gardeners about potential damage to crops and plants.
Weather experts stated that conditions are expected to improve gradually over the coming days as warmer air returns from the Atlantic.
Many people on social media reacted with surprise to the scenes from Shetland, commenting on the contrast between springtime expectations and the sudden return of winter-like weather.
The event serves as another reminder of how unpredictable weather patterns in the UK can be, especially in northern regions.
Source: bbc.com
