HOT HOT HOT AND THEN WET WET WET
Heatwave will bring 30C heat for Scots before 30-hr thunderstorm THREE DAY FORECAST
BY PAUL DRURY reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk
SCOTLAND is expected to bask in the hottest day of the year so far today – before a 30-hour-long thunderstorm hits.
The mercury is forecast to hit 30C in the west of the country as Scotland gets to briefly share in this week’s UK heatwave.
But the price of the high temperatures could be paid into Friday morning, when weathermen predict thunderstorms could dump over two inches of rain in an hour.
Heat from the Atlantic will be colliding with unstable air over the UK, resulting in the potential for thunder, lightning and hail until 6am on Saturday.
As an extensive warning for severe weather was issued by the Met Office, forecaster Bonnie Diamond said: “It’s not true to say everywhere will be hit by thunderstorms until Saturday.
“I would say Scotland is going to see a brief burst of summer before things turn thundery for some.
“Thursday will bring a dry, sunny and very warm day. Temperatures generally will be in the low-to-mid 20s Celsius but Glasgow will rise to 28-29C or possibly even 30C.
“The thunderstorms don’t really arrive until overnight Thursday into Friday morning. It will also be a very warm night, with 16-17C in many places, which would be a reasonable day time temperature at this time of year.”
Dry and sunny day, becoming hot. Chance of thunderstorms later. Max 29C (84F) Min 17C (63F)
Wet before sun comes out. Warm, with thunderstorms in places. Max 25C (77F) Min 13C (55F)
Low pressure system creates band of rain, crossing country by day. Max 18C (64F) Min 11C
Scotland’s current daytime record-high this year of 28.9C was set on May 29 at Dawyck Botanic Garden in Peeblesshire.
The warmest it has been at night is 15.8C on South Uist in the Western Isles on May 30.
Diamond said that after a wet start, Friday should again deliver sunshine and warm temperatures in the mid 20s, with 25C expected in Glasgow. Friday’s Met Office yellow “be aware” warning kicks in at noon and goes on until 6am on Saturday.
It suggests there is a “small chance” homes and businesses could be flooded quickly. Power cuts are possible due to lightning strikes and high winds and spray could lead to difficult conditions on the country’s roads.
Areas affected include Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, Highland, Orkney and Shetland, Strathclyde and south west Scotland, Lothian and Borders.