What a washout: July rainfall up 25pc... and there’s more to come

SCOTLAND’S summer washout looks set to continue – at least until the end of the month.

July has been considerably wetter than normal, with nearly 25 per cent more rainfall, figures show.

Weather-weary Scots can usually expect to see around 48 per cent of July’s rain fall during the first two weeks, but the Met Office confirmed yesterday that the total for this month already stands at 72 per cent.

This statistic does not include the horrendous flash flooding experienced last weekend across many areas of the country which brought widespread chaos and disruption.

The British Open at St Andrews was suspended due to torrential downpours which eventually forced tournament organiser the R&A to extend play into a fifth day.

Scores of music fans attending the Tiree Music Festival had to seek shelter in churches, barns and even homes on the island after dozens of tents were blown away during a gale-force storm.

Now forecasters are warning that there is unlikely to be any marked improvement over the coming days.

While most are predicting it is unlikely Scotland will break the record for the wettest- ever July, which was established in 1940 when 7.3ins (185.6mm) of rain fell, it could be a close run thing.

So far soggy Scotland has suffered 2.8ins (71.9mm) of rainfall although, crucially, this figure does not take into account the past week, which is expected to increase the total substantially when the recent downpours are included.

A Met Office spokesman admitted there is unlikely to be any change in the situation as the distinct North- South weather divide grows even wider.

He said: ‘ We have noticed a marked difference between the weather north and south of the Border during the month of July.

‘It has been pretty miserable in Scotland and we expect to see further showers over the weekend, some of which could be heavy.

‘There will be a slight improvement on Saturday when it will remain dry in some areas – but not for long, as the showers will return on Sunday and Monday.’

The forecaster disclosed that even areas that traditionally enjoy better weather during July – such as the East coast – are also experiencing more heavy bursts of rain on a near-daily basis.

He said: ‘Perhaps the only bright side is the fact that it has not been as cold, as temperatures are about average for this time of year.

‘Unfortunately, it is too early to say whether or not there is going to be an Indian summer. Certainly at this stage we can only hope there is going to be better weather in Scotland.’

Ironically, the dramatic shift in the weather pattern is in stark contrast to the glorious heatwave enjoyed last summer as Glasgow played host to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

As hundreds of thousands of visitors witnessed the sporting spectacular – and many millions around the world watched the events on television – the organisers must have thought all their prayers had been answered as, day after day, the city was bathed in sunshine.

Many hoped that by staging the largest multi-sport event ever held north of the Border there would be a subsequent tourism spin-off during the coming years.

But any travellers visiting Glasgow yesterday had to endure grey skies and dodge the ever-present showers – a far cry from the rays soaked up only a year ago.

‘It has been pretty miserable’