Why are parts of Scotland hitting 22C in wake of Storm Amy?

After a weekend that saw Storm Amy wreak havoc across Scotland with winds of up to 100mph, we’ve had a much calmer, milder start to the week.

The southwesterly winds that followed the first named storm of the season have dragged warmer air in raising our temperatures.

There has been a west/east split with cloud and drizzle plaguing many central and western areas.

But the east is seeing the best of any drier and brighter weather. Temperatures have climbed in parts of the north east, with highs already recorded of 22C in Lossiemouth, 21.6C in Dyce, 21.4C at Fyvie Castle and 20.3C in Kinloss.

It’s very unusual to see temperatures this high at this time of year and it’s down to something called the Foehn effect.

The Foehn develops as moist winds run up the windward side of mountains, where clouds and rainfall will usually develop. As the rain falls the air starts to dry out and descends on the other side of the mountains as a much drier wind that quickly warms.

Air cools as it rises and warms as it falls, but a dry air flow can warm much quicker and that’s why Foehn winds can really boost glen and valley temperatures in the right conditions.

So while the north has seen temperatures peak over 20C, western areas are expected to see highs of 15C/16C.

But tonight there will be two cold fronts making their way across the country – eventually merging into one front – and bringing cloud, rain and introducing colder air.

This means for Tuesday the main thing we will notice will be a change in the temperatures and how much colder it is feeling.

Locations that have seen highs of 22C and 21C today will see 15C or 16C tomorrow, so definitely feeling fresher and leading to a chillier overnight period into Wednesday too.