What a scorcher... summer looks set to be the hottest in 108 years

SCOTLAND’s summer is on the verge of becoming the hottest since records began 108 years ago, eclipsing the legendary heatwave of 1976.

Forecasters say the maximum temperatures from June 1 to August 1 averaged 18.2C (6 F) – some 2C (3. F) above normal and tying so far with 199 ’s record seasonlong high (June 1 to August 31).

Temperatures pushing 23C (73F) in coming days are set to boost this year’s August average beyond that of 23 years ago.

Met Office figures show Scotland has basked in 4 7 hours of sunshine this summer – up 7 per cent on the average figure – since June 1. Met Office forecaster Steven Keates said: ‘It’s been a damn good summer and the best I can remember. It’s one we’ll remember for many years. All parts of the UK have seen good weather.

‘Warm weather in coming days favours this summer challenging to become the hottest UK-wide summer on record.’

The Scottish picture appears to mirror that of the rest of the UK.

Mark McCarthy, head of the Met Office National Climate Information Centre, said: ‘It’s clear summer 2018 is exceptional for the consistent levels of warmth throughout the period.’

A Scottish heat record was briefly set when 33.2C (91F) was detected in Motherwell, Lanarkshire, on June 28. However, the Met Office said a nearby vehicle’s engine may have skewed the reading.

Scotland’s rainfall this summer has been 19 mm (7.6 inches) – 64 per cent of the seasonal average. Following months of dry weather, Scottish Water had to use tankers to distribute supplies in parts of the country.

The remnants of Storm Ernesto passed over Scotland at the weekend, bringing rain. But the start of the working week promises to bring some sunshine, before conditions turn fresher later.