After the storms, summer gets off to 86F scorcher... but keep your brolly handy!

SCOTLAND is set to bask in sweltering heat this month as summer gets off to a scorching start with temperatures approaching 86F (30C).

Forecasters say the country will be hit by temperatures of up to 83F (28C) over the coming weeks following four days of heavy rain, flooding and hail storms.

The country is expected to enjoy sunshine and temperatures of between 69F (21C) and 73C (23F) this week, before rising steadily as the month progresses.

Thunderstorms disrupted a glorious 81F (27C) final week of May, with Ballater, Aberdeenshire, hit by flash flooding and parts of Lanarkshire seeing more than half an inch of rain (38mm) in only 20 minutes on Saturday.

Leon Brown of The Weather Channel said: ‘The hottest weather is forecast in the first half of summer, with a warmer-than-average June and 28C highs expected in Scotland.

‘The warmth is due to hot air originating in Africa and being brought up to Britain.

‘But the pattern of warmth from the continent changes in July, meaning a risk of rain.

‘August looks like seeing above-average rainfall, and below-normal temperatures.’

The Met Office issued a number of ‘be aware’ warnings for heavy rain over the weekend. Firefighters were called to Ballater on Saturday after streets were flooded.

Motherwell Football Club also reported that its stadium had been flooded.

Met Office forecaster Greg Dewhurst said: ‘After a more unsettled spell in mid-month, there are signs of warmer air later in June, with a higher chance of 30C-plus in England.’

Today it will be warm in the South and West with scattered showers, and temperatures up to 73F (23C).

Tomorrow will see sunny spells in the East and North, while the West will have cloudy spells, with the mercury rising to 71F (22C).

On Wednesday it will be warm with cloudy spells, reaching 73F (23C).