SUMMER’S LAST HURRAH
THE most northerly town in Britain will be as hot as Tenerife today as the mercury soars to 25C.
Thurso, in Caithness, will see the best of the September heatwave this afternoon as Scotland enjoys blue skies all the way from the Borders to the Shetland Islands.
Temperatures on the Moray coast are expected to fall just short of those in Thurso, reaching a balmy 24C (75F), while the West Highlands, along with the Central Belt, will see 23C (73F).
Roads are expected to be extremely busy as families make a final dash for the sun.
It comes as Met Office experts say the country may be waking up from its warmest September night ever.
Scotland’s previous high, recorded in 2011, saw a temperature of 18.7C (65F). Last night, it was predicted that the mercury would fall no lower than 17 or 18C (63-64F) in the Highlands – putting the record within reach.
It follows fine weather yesterday that saw Scots head for parks and beaches, which are usually quieter at this time of year.
Dozens piled into the pools in front of the Scottish parliament in Edinburgh to cool off, ironically following a climate change protest. Others enjoyed beaches around the country.
The day was heralded by a stunning sunset over the fields of Blackness, in West Lothian, on Thursday.
‘These are pretty unusual conditions for the latter part of September,’ said Helen Roberts of the Met Office.
But she said Scotland would have to ‘go some’ to beat its highest-ever daytime September temperature, which stands at 32.2C (90F), recorded at Gordon Castle, in Moray, on September 1, 1986.
She added: ‘Saturday is going to be very warm again but it will become increasingly breezy, which may seem a bit odd.
‘Sunday will see more fine weather. There could be a rogue thundery shower ahead of a front, which arrives later in the day.’
However, CalMac put West Coast ferry passengers on a warning for cancellations last night due to the strong winds forecast.