Hay fever alert as sun set to shine
Hay fever sufferers could be in for a tough time as the hottest weather of the year will also bring high levels of pollen and UV.
Scots will be basking in up to 28C of sunshine this week as the country is hit by a heat wave.
Scots will be basking in bright sunshine and the hottest weather of the year so far as the country is hit by a heatwave over the next few days.
Highs of up to 28C are predicted from tomorrow onwards in many parts of Scotland and should continue for the rest of the week.
Parts of England and Wales are set to be even hotter, with thermometers reaching up to 30C in places.
However, not everyone will be sweltering.
Folk in the north-west and the northern isles will not be so lucky, with persistent cloud bringing cooler temperatures and the likelihood of drizzle.
The mercury is unlikely to rise above the high teens in these places, though it’s possible the isle of Lewis could see a bit more heat tomorrow.
Hay fever sufferers also look set for a difficult time due to the current hot spell.
Forecasters are warning people to take care and protect themselves.
Grahame Madge, a spokesman for the Met Office, said conditions will be fine in most places until at least Saturday.
But the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland are closer to the edge of the high pressure, bringing a covering of cloud.
This means temperatures are not expected to reach more than 14C in Lerwick and 18C in Stornoway, and are likely to remain below 20C for the rest of the week..
The highest temperature in the UK so far this year was 29.1C , recorded in central London on 19 April.
The hottest day in Scotland was on 29 May, when Achnagart, in Ross and Cromarty, reached a high of 27.5C.
This week’s temperatures, though hotter this time last year, are not set to break Scottish records for June.
The highest known temperature for the month north of the border was 31.6C, recorded at Inverailort, in Lochaber, on 30 June 1986.
The town of Greenock experienced a slightly lower 31.5C on 28 June 1995.
The top temperature in June 2017 was 27.3C.
Long days, still conditions and clear skies mean June temperatures can get very intense. The sun is at its highest in the sky at this time, and heat can build up over successive days.
“High pressure is going to dominate this week so we can expect very high levels of pollen and UV,” said the Met Office’s Mark Foster.
“If you are in the sun you have a greater chance of getting burnt in the short term.”
The picture from Saturday onwards is less certain, but it’s thought the good weather may continue into July.