Record May temperatures as isles bask in sunshine

Temperatures soared at the weekend to create a new record for the hottest ever day in May in Shetland.

On Sunday the temperature at Baltasound was 22.3ºC, the highest it has ever been since records began in the 1930s.

In Lerwick Sunday’s temperature was officially recorded as 20.3ºC, but feeling much warmer in sheltered spots. The all-time high for May in Lerwick is 20.7 degrees, according to a spokesman at the Lerwick Observatory.

Fair Isle boasted 17.6ºC, just 0.1 degree short of a record, said local weather man Dave Wheeler.

Saturday was also glorious but the early morning fog meant that a slightly lower temperature of 15.9ºC was recorded at Baltasound and 16ºC at Lerwick. However, it felt warmer as the day progressed thanks to the humidity still being high from the foggy spell.

The balmy, still conditions at the weekend contributed to the feeling of heat as there was no cooling effect of the winds, which Mr Wheeler described as a “light force two breeze”.

Orkney was slightly hotter than Shetland on Saturday and recorded an all-time high for May of 21 degrees.