Sunny start to spring as temperatures rise in Aberdeen

WINTER seems to have released its icy grip on the Aberdeen area as temperatures hit 9C.

And today as the sun shone, signs of spring were evident across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Met Office forecaster Barry Gromett said: “I would like to think the extremes of January are behind us.

“In the next couple of days, fingers crossed, there is even the possibility we might get into double figures.”

Temperatures in Aberdeen reached 9C (48F) yesterday, topping the UK temperature charts along with Cornwall and parts of Wales.

The winter snow arrived in the Grampian region on December 17 and has only recently relented.

Temperatures regularly plummeted as low as -19C (-2F) in Braemar.

But today the signs of spring were evident all around the Aberdeen region.

Daffodils and crocuses were blooming in parks across Aberdeen.

And children were making the most of the mild weather by playing outdoors.

Cove mum Elaine Adamson took her two children Alexander, 2, and Isla, 3, to Aberdeen’s Duthie Park to play on the swings and slides.

She said: “Everybody seems so much happier when the sun is out, especially the children who got to run about and play in the park.”

Temperatures may fall to 5C (41F) or 6C (42F) over the weekend, but next week should see a return to milder weather.

dewen@ajl.co.uk