30°+ THE HEAT IS ON
» Sweltering Scotland set to reach a record high temp today » Warnings as reservoirs dry up and trains forced to go slow
SCOTLAND looks set to record its highest-ever temperature.
The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning of “extreme heat” in eastern, southern and central parts of Scotland which is in force until midnight tonight.
Yesterday afternoon the mercury rose to a sweltering 30.8C in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire and Edinburgh, and reached 29.9C at Aviemore, the Met Office said.
Temperatures have not broken Scotland’s record on August 9 2003 of 32.9C at Greycrook in the Scottish Borders, but forecasters said that may happen today.
The soaring temperatures have led to speed restrictions being placed on key rail routes.
The Met Office expect temperatures in eastern, southern and central parts to exceed 30C.
A spokesperson for the Met Office said: “The peak of the heat will be Tuesday for Scotland, especially the eastern side of the country where it could hit well into the low 30s, certainly challenging Scotland’s alltime record.
“Further north, eastern areas of Scotland could see temperatures in the high 20C in a few places, well above their average for the time of year.”
Edinburgh was the hottest place in Scotland yesterday, with a temperature of 27.3C recorded at Gogarburn and 25.7C at the Botanic gardens, the Met Office said.
In Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, the temperature was 27.2C with Aviemore reaching 26.2C.
The forecaster warned that the two-day heatwave will have widespread impact.
Network Rail restricted train speeds between 1pm and 8pm yesterday and the move to protect tracks and overhead lines is expected to be continued today. It affected trains on most routes, with a 20mph speed restriction on the stretch of rail between Hyndland and Finnieston in Glasgow, the busiest route in Scotland.
Network Rail tweeted: “We will be implementing further speed restrictions between 13:00-20:00 today.
“These restrictions will impact most train routes during the warmest part of the day, helping to minimise potential damage caused by today’s forecasted temperatures.”
Restrictions were in place
between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley; Dumfries and Carlisle as well as Glasgow Queen Street and Aberdeen; Inverness; Oban and Fort William and Edinburgh Waverley and North Berwick, with delays of around 10 minutes expected.
The train operator urged passengers to “plan ahead”, tweeting: “Please please please, plan ahead if you’re out, it’s going to be extremely hot later today.
“Take water with you, wear sensible clothing – hats/sunglasses, if you’ve
got elderly neighbours/relatives, check up on them.”
A warning was issued to anyone cooling off in lochs and reservoirs.
Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, said: “Scotland is home to some of the most beautiful watercourses in the British Isles, but swimming in them can be extremely dangerous, and in some cases fatal.
“Risk of getting into difficulty is extremely high when swimming in an open body of water. Reservoirs are home to undercurrents, reeds, and extremely deep water. Getting caught up in underwater hazards or getting dragged below is a real risk.”
While the country sizzles, meteorologist Jim Dale said that no repeats are expected over the next few weeks.
He told BBC Radio Scotland’s Good
Morning Scotland programme: “This event is quite unusual.
“Last time that the records were broken it was in a single day and it was just a spike here and there.
“Because we live, particularly in Scotland, in a temperate zone, what we’re not talking about is continuous, extreme heat that’s going to go on and on.
“These are always going to be spikes. I can’t see anything at the moment on the charts that suggest, certainly for
Scotland, and even down into the London area, any repeats of this in the next couple of weeks.”
A concerned Nicola Sturgeon has urged people to “follow sensible advice” as the temperatures continue to soar.
She tweeted: “The next couple of days are set to be exceptionally hot.
“Please take care and follow sensible advice.
“Keep out of direct sun; stay well hydrated; and look out for others who may be suffering from the heat.”
Please, please, please plan ahead if you’re out NETWORK RAIL GUIDANCE TO PASSENGERS