Spring has finally arrived following the Beast from the East, with parts of the north-east warmer than some holiday hotspots yesterday.
Meteorologists recorded a high temperature of 15.1C just after 1pm at Fyvie Castle.
Not only was this warmer than everywhere else in the UK, it also trumped temperatures in Madrid, Marseille and Rome.
It has been logged as officially the warmest location in Scotland so far this year – following a previous 2018 high of 13.5C in January.
Temperatures also rocketed in Aberdeen, where it reached a high of 14.1C.
While the north-east is not commonly known for sunny weather, the Met Office has said it should not be discounted.
Last night, weather forecaster Luke Norris said: “I suppose it is quite unusual, but it is certainly not unprecedented.
“The previous high of 13.5C was in January, so we have had a warm day coming for a while – and it certainly was a lovely day.”
Earlier this month a wave of cold air from Russia – named the Beast from the East – froze large swathes of the country.
Schools were closed and flights were cancelled and, at one stage, an unprecedented red weather alert was implemented by the Met Office.
Not long after the River Dee had thawed out and the last of the snow and ice had melted, another cold snap dubbed the Mini Beast arrived.
Last week more weather warnings were in place as more snow swept the country, with temperatures in some parts dropping as low as -8C.
But while yesterday’s warm and sunny weather was a welcome reprieve – and a good indicator that spring, finally, has arrived – it is not expected to last much longer.
Mr Norris said: “There will be a decline in temperature back down to what we would call average.
“Throughout the week and into the weekend we will see a gradual slowdown to single figures, so highs of 9C or 10C.
“So today was not exceptional – but it was notable.”
