Aberdeen residents celebrated a rare sight on Thursday afternoon as sunshine finally pierced through the clouds, ending a record-breaking 21-day period of relentless gloom.
The sun made its long awaited return to the Granite City late on Thursday, marking the end of the longest continuous sunless spell since Met Office records began in 1957. After three weeks of gray skies and heavy cloud cover, official readings confirmed that 30 minutes of sunshine were recorded in the Dyce area just before 4:00 PM. This brief golden window brought relief to a city that has been trapped under a blanket of thick clouds since January 21.
Historic Gloom Lifting
The breakdown of this weather event reveals just how unusual the past few weeks have been for the north east of Scotland. Meteorologists confirmed that the previous record for sunless days has been shattered.
For 21 consecutive days, the sun remained completely hidden. This phenomenon was caused by what experts call a “blocked weather pattern.” A stubborn area of high pressure sat over Scandinavia and trapped moisture laden air across Scotland. This setup prevented any weather fronts from moving through and kept a lid of low cloud firmly in place over Aberdeen.
The Met Office explained that the position of the jet stream played a major role. It has been diving further south than usual for this time of year. This directed storms away but left Aberdeen stuck in a stagnant flow of damp, gray air.
Key Weather Statistics for Aberdeen:
- Last Sunshine Recorded: January 21, 2026
- Total Sunless Days: 21 Days
- New Record: Longest sunless streak since 1957
- Sunshine Duration on Thursday: 30 Minutes
Residents React to “Strange” Sight2
The sudden appearance of blue sky sparked immediate excitement across the city. Social media platforms lit up with messages as people rushed to share the news.
Kate Finlay, a 21 year old student at the University of Aberdeen, described the moment she realized the gloom had lifted. She said the change in light was so abrupt it felt unnatural after weeks of darkness.
“It is honestly very strange. The first thing I did when I came out of the flat was message my friends. I opened the curtains and thought it felt brighter than it did. I went outside and it was a blue sky. I was really taken aback to be honest.”
Local online communities reflected this mix of relief and disbelief. Users on Reddit joked that they had forgotten what the sun looked like. One popular comment described the past few weeks as “bleak” and noted how families were texting each other just to report a “streak of blue” in the sky.
Impact on Health and Business
The prolonged darkness has taken a toll on the mood of the city. Medical experts have long warned about the effects of low light on mental health.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is common in these latitudes, but a three week stretch without a single minute of direct sunlight exacerbates feelings of lethargy and low energy. Local cafes reported seeing more customers than usual as people sought warm, well lit places to escape the dreary outdoors.
Conversely, outdoor foot traffic slowed significantly during the streak. The relentless gray made walking, running and other outdoor activities far less appealing. Now that the sun has broken through, many hope to see the city spring back to life.
Snow and Ice Warnings Issued
While the return of the sun is welcome news, the weather is not settling down just yet. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice across much of Scotland.
This warning remains in place overnight into Friday. The clear skies that allowed the sun to shine also mean that temperatures will drop sharply. This brings a risk of icy patches on untreated roads and pavements.
Forecasters warn that while the blocked pattern has broken, it is being replaced by colder Arctic air. Residents enjoying the return of the light will need to bundle up as the mercury falls.
Safety Tips for the Coming Days:
- Check Travel Routes: Expect delays on bus and train services due to ice.
- Walk Carefully: Icy patches may form on pavements and cycle paths.
- Stay Warm: Temperatures will drop significantly overnight.
- Monitor Updates: Keep an eye on local forecasts for sudden changes.
The city may have seen the sun, but winter is far from over. The weekend promises a mix of bright spells and wintry showers, a stark contrast to the stagnant gray of the last three weeks.
What do you think about this record breaking weather? Did you manage to snap a photo of the sun? Share your thoughts and pictures in the comments below.
