Is Scotland set to sizzle in our hottest summer EVER?

SCOTLAND is set to bask in scorching summer weather this month as forecasters predict the country’s record high temperature of 33C could be broken.

High pressure sweeping in from southern Europe could see temperatures soar even higher amid a long hot spell.

STV meteorologist Sean Batty said: ‘One thing to note is the extreme heat which has been waxing and waning across Europe so far this summer, especially for Italy and Spain. I’m not saying this will definitely happen, but if a long southerly flow were to develop at any point in the next six weeks, I’d say there could be a decent chance of our Scottish record of 33C being broken.’ But the heatwave could come at the price of water shortages.

Drought warnings were issued after many areas saw an unusually dry June, with very little rain forecast for the rest of the month.

The River Ythan catchment in Aberdeenshire has joined the Firth of Tay in the latest water scarcity report published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa). Both have been placed at Sepa’s second-highest risk level.

This means firms that draw from reservoirs and rivers are being asked to slow down their operations, switch to other supplies or even suspend use altogether.

Areas around the River Irvine and River Ayr in Ayrshire are also now at early warning stage.

Water resources specialist at Sepa Michael Wann said: ‘Water is a resource that underpins key industries in Scotland – from food and drink production, to farming and golf course management.

‘Water is shared and finite, and we all need to work together to manage it as efficiently as possible.’

Environment Minister Mairi McAllan said: ‘It is clear that climate change is affecting Scotland and the availability of water.’

Temperatures should reach 22C today and 27C tomorrow.