Exact time thunderstorms to batter Scotland with 15 flood alerts & danger to life warning in place

Scottish Sun

20-07-2025

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ENGLISH heat will spark Scottish lightning tomorrow as the heatwave down south ignites dramatic thunderstorms north of the border.
The atmosphere is being warmed by high temperatures in England, pushing a series of weather systems northwards.
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Torrential rain is set to batter Scotland this week
Credit: Getty
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The heavy rain and thunderstorms could cause travel chaos
Credit: Alamy
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The Met Office has issued several yellow warnings for thunderstorms
Credit: MET OFFICE
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And SEPA has issued 15 flood alerts
Credit: PA
After clammy conditions today, a 10-hour yellow warning for rain is in place for most of Scotland tomorrow lasting from 11am until 9pm.
This time, a danger is expected to come from lightning strikes.
The Met Office say there is also a small chance of fast-flowing or deep floodwater causing 'a danger to life.'
The environment agency SEPA has 15 flood alerts in place, all the way from Aberdeenshire in the north to Dumfries and Galloway in the south.
The Met Office warning for today states: "Scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected on Monday.
'Rainfall amounts will vary from place to place, but in some locations, 20-40 mm (one and a half inches) is possible within a couple of hours.
Heavy downpours of rain will be the primary hazard, but lightning strikes are also likely, along with the potential for hail and gusty winds
The Met Office warning
'Heavy downpours of rain will be the primary hazard, but lightning strikes are also likely, along with the potential for hail and gusty winds.'
Forecasters say buildings could be damaged by floodwater, and there is a slight chance that power cuts could occur.
The warning area covers most of the country, save for western coastal spots including the Western Isles and the Northern Isles, northern Scotland and the far east coast.
With some parts of the country historically dry, the surface soil could be firm, which can cause issues with surface water flooding.
Met Office issues yellow warning for thunderstorms and flash floods today with up to 90mm of rain
The rain can simply run off very quickly rather than being able to soak in.
This can lead to the rainfall not being what the Met Office describe as 'useful' rainfall, as it moves on before it has much benefit.
However, torrential rain in the east of Scotland may just have arrived in time to stave off water restrictions, due to be imposed this week.
Environment watchdogs SEPA say a number of areas are approaching 'significant scarcity' water, the trigger for imposing legal restrictions on farmers, distilleries and operators of golf courses.
The government agency said last week that water restrictions are likely to be imposed within days after very low rainfall in the east coast of Scotland.
Measures could include limiting or temporarily suspending abstractions where necessary.
SEPA's latest Water Scarcity Report, published last Thursday, shows that eight river catchments remain at 'moderate scarcity' – the Spey, Deveron, Ythan, Don in Aberdeenshire, Dee in Aberdeen, Esk, Firth of Tay and Tyne Lothian.
Meanwhile, the Findhorn, Firth of Forth and Helmsdale catchments are at 'alert'.
Shops brought to a halt
HEAVY downpours over the weekend have wrecked havoc on buildings and buisnesses, with many being flooded by the torrential rain.
Today, one farm shop and butchery in Crossford, Lanarkshire, was brought to a halt after being flooded.
Tills stopped working inside Overton Farm Shop and customers could ot be served after the rain caused water to get inside.
Videos show a huge pool of water forming outside the store today as torrential rain thundered down.
Cars were seen parked just a few feet away from the massive puddles as shoppers struggled to get in and out of the shop.
Chris Dailly, SEPA's Head of Environmental Performance (Geographic), said: 'These rivers are approaching critical environmental thresholds following months of sustained low rainfall.
'Autumn 2024 was one of the driest in 100 years, followed by a dry spring – the second driest in a century for the east.
'Many catchments in eastern Scotland are seeing their lowest river flows for decades, with some stations recording record or near-record lows for spring and early summer.'
Hosepipe bans have already been imposed on millions of people living in large areas of England, with restrictions expected to last until winter.
Scottish Water says they have not sought drought orders from the Scottish Government, which would affect domestic supplies.
Reservoirs are currently sitting at 79 per cent capacity, five per cent below the average for this time of year.