'Less rain than Gran Canaria': Scotland headed for driest spring in 40 years

Some parts of Scotland have been astonishingly dry this spring, rainfall figures reveal.

In fact, it’s been so dry that East Lothian and eastern Fife have seen less rain than Gran Canaria, and Tiree has had less than Majorca.

When we average things out across the country, Scotland has had around 130mm of rain so far this spring.

There’s a hint that things might turn more unsettled in the final week of May, but even with rain, I’d say it’s unlikely we’ll top the 196mm recorded in spring 2001.

If that holds true, this could end up being our driest spring since the 1980s.

At the moment, I think spring 2025 will fall somewhere between the very dry springs of 1980 and 1984, when 150mm and 188mm of rain fell, respectively.

That would make it the driest Scottish spring in over 40 years.

Who needs Santa Ponsa when you’ve got Scarinish?

One of the standout dry spots is Dunbar in East Lothian, which has had a meagre 14mm of rain since March 1.

Leuchars in Fife isn’t far behind, clocking in at just 34mm, less than many of our favourite Spanish holiday destinations.

And speaking of Spain, they’ve actually had a much wetter spring than usual.

Malaga, on the Costa del Sol, has had a hefty 260mm since March 1, and Majorca has seen around 130mm.

Even the usually arid Canary Islands have had more rain than East Lothian, with Tenerife picking up 55mm and Gran Canaria about 45mm.

Back home, Tiree has been wetter than the east, with 101mm so far this spring, but even that comes in drier than Majorca. Who needs Santa Ponsa when you’ve got Scarinish?

Even Glasgow has been drier than Malaga and Majorca with 100mm since March 1.

This comes on the back of a relatively dry winter, too, and while it’s lovely to enjoy all this sunshine, it might start causing some issues—especially for farmers who rely on river water.

If we don’t see some much wetter-than-average months, some local water shortages could be on the cards… although I know that’s not what anyone wants to hear with the school summer holidays fast approaching!