Prepare to sizzle: Bank holiday set to be a scorcher!
SCOTLAND is set to swelter in the hottest day of the year this bank holiday weekend as a fresh wave of hot weather sweeps the country.
Forecasters say the hottest day of 2018 will arrive on either Sunday or Monday, with temperatures of 80F (27C) expected in the Glasgow area.
The heatwave also coincides with the spring half-term break for thousands of children in some parts of Scotland.
Met Office forecaster Grahame Madge said the country is set to enjoy warm weather at least until the first week in June. He added: ‘We are sitting in a positive spell of high pressure anyway, which is creating nice, calm, sunny conditions as it is.
‘But we are also seeing warmer air coming up from the continent, allowing temperatures to rise even further.’
Scotland’s record temperature of the year so far was at Kinloss in Moray last Saturday, when the mercury hit 73F (23C).
Mr Madge said: ‘This record is going to go this weekend, no question about it. Temperatures over the weekend could hit 80F (27C) in Glasgow on Sunday or Monday, with 72F-73F (22C-23C) quite widely elsewhere.’
Forecasters also warned that the hot weather could see thunderstorms in Scotland, as changing pressure from the south boosts temperatures.
Many children will stop for a mid-term break today with some pupils not due to return to their desks until next Wednesday.
Any families flying abroad this weekend could face the prospect of delays at airports, due to a planned strike by air traffic controllers in France.
On Sunday, around 30,000 runners in the Edinburgh Marathon will face the additional problem of high temperatures as they tackle the 26-mile course.
ScotRail is laying on extra trains between Edinburgh and Prestonpans, stopping at Wallyford and Musselburgh stations to allow spectators to travel between the start and finishing lines.
Though there is little prospect of rain in the coming weeks, Scottish Water insisted there is no issue with water supplies.
Last month, Britain experienced the hottest April day for nearly 70 years, with the mercury soaring to 84F (29.1C) in London.
Bookmakers say Monday could be the hottest spring bank holiday Monday ever.
Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes said: ‘The heatwave may be interrupted by the storms, but that hasn’t deterred optimistic punters from wagering the spring bank holiday will be the hottest ever.’