SCOTLAND'S mild winter is set to continue as forecasters revealed temperatures in Glasgow had only dipped below zero twice this year.

Since the start of the year, the west of Scotland has experienced frost on only two occasions.

For the same time period last year, there had been 18 days of sub zero temperatures.

The warm winter has seen average temperatures nearly double what forecasters would expect at this time of year.

In Glasgow and the surrounding areas, the overall average this month is 5.2C.

However, the west has been hit with nearly 7in of rainfall in February alone - 88% more than what is expected.

Dave Clark, forecaster with the Met Office, said the change was down to a different weather system and the absence of cold easterly winds.

He said: "Most of the weather this year has come in from the west. Usually we get the high pressure coming in from Europe from the east and that brings colder spells.

"There has only been two days when the temperature has dipped below freezing, we recorded at Bishopton. This time last year there had been 18 days."

However Mr Clark said there may still be freezing weather to come - although it was not forecasted.

He said: "I can't see any signs that it will get very cold. It is warmer than what we would expect at the moment.

"But we can't write off the winter yet. The one good thing is that there are lighter nights now which will help if it does get ­colder this year."

rachel.loxton@eveningtimes.co.uk