When the warmer weather will return to Scotland as experts reveal heatwave prediction

Scottish Sun

4 days ago

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SCOTS are still recovering from last weekend's deluge of torrential downpours and thunderstorms, which caused flooding chaos over the last few days.
Parts of the country saw two weeks' worth of rain fall in just one hour as extreme weather gripped the nation.
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Heavy rain has battered Scotland over the last few days
Credit: Alamy
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And it caused flooding chaos on Scotland's roads
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Some railway lines were left completely submerged in water
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And it has left many hoping to see another heatwave over summer
Credit: Alamy
The Met Office issued three back-to-back yellow warnings that lasted from Friday through to Tuesday, and on Monday SEPA issued a total of 16 flood alerts and three flood warnings.
Forecasters warned there was a chance of fast-flowing or deep floodwater as thunderstorms posed 'a danger to life'.
The torrential rain was so severe in some areas that roads and rail lines were left completely submerged, and in other places some locals were forced to use paddleboards to get around towns.
So it's no wonder that many Scots will be hoping to see some more sunshine now that we're at the peak time of summer.
And what better way to get over a soggy end to July than to start August with a sizzling heatwave?
With that in mind, weather experts have looked ahead to see what weather we can expect next month and have revealed their predictions on if there is another heatwave on the horizon.
Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern told the Daily Record that there currently isn't another heatwave on the cards for Scots.
BBC forecasters have also ruled out any hopes of heatwave conditions this week as they shared their latest forecast.
Weather presenter Joy Dunlop revealed that we can expect warm but cloudy weather with some light rains in some areas today and tomorrow.
She said: "A more settled day of weather to come as high pressure builds in the west. It's a mild start again this morning.
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"A cloudy one, with early showers in the north-west Highlands, to light rain and drizzle in the south east.
"Plenty of early brightness in the south west, but that won't last as cloud fills for most of the day, sunshine in short supply.
"Still feeling warm over central and southern spots with highs of 21C and 22C, cooler in the north with a north-westerly wind and more of a breeze developing there.
"Tonight, for many, will stay dry and cloudy. We do have more on-the-move clear spells developing, and cloud could be thick enough for some light rain and drizzle almost anywhere but especially in the north.
"Another mild, humid night to come with generally light winds.
What needs to happen for Scotland to officially experience a heatwave?
THERE is certain criteria that the Scottish weather needs to meet before it offically becomes a heatwave.
Experts at the Met Office have revealed that in the UK, a location needs to record three days above a 'temperature threshold' for it to be official.
This threshold is calculated using the average daily maximum temperature on July 15 between 1991 and 2020 - and varies across the country depending on where it is.
For Scotland, the threshold is 25C.
This means that for the country to officially experience a heatwave, the mercury levels must be 25C or higher for at least three consecutive days.
The highest temperature ever recorded in Scotland was 34.8C.
This was measured at Charterhall in the Scottish Borders during a heatwave on July 19 back in 2022.
Heatwaves are usually caused by high-pressure systems and are common in the UK during the summer.
This is because of the position of the jet stream during these months.
"Tomorrow will bring more in the way of sunshine and particularly latterly in the west.
"Cloud lingering for some, and that could produce some light rain and drizzle at times, but it will be feeling that wee bit warmer."
However, that doesn't mean that things won't heat up in the coming weeks.
According to weather maps, things are set to turn a corner on August 1, with parts of the country to see temperatures reach as high as 23C on this date.
Data from WXCharts shows that by 6pm, the mercury levels could climb into the low-20s before dropping slightly to 20C.
And on August 2, it could still remain at a lovely 18C around the mid-afternoon into the early evening.
The Met Office's long-range forecast for July 27 until August 5 states that those in the south and east will have the best chance of seeing sunshine.
It states: "A weather regime dominated by westerly winds is likely at first.
"While showers or longer spells of rain will remain possible for all parts early in the period, the focus of wet weather will likely increasingly be focused across the west and northwest, especially over hills where rain could be prolonged.
"The highest chance of drier and sunnier weather is expected to the east of hills, and across south and eastern areas.
There is a chance of some very warm or hot spells developing later in August if high pressure wins out for a decent stretch of time
Met Office long-range forecast
"Later in the period, if high pressure builds into the southwest, settled weather may develop there too. It will be breezy at times, especially in further north.
"Temperatures are most likely to be near to average or slightly above average for the time of year."
But the weather service revealed that things could heat up in the middle of the month with a chance of "some very warm or hot spells" to come.
It's forecast for August 6 until August 20 states: "A changeable westerly pattern will likely continue through into the start of August, with spells of rain or showers mixed in with some drier, brighter days.
"There are signs that high pressure to the southwest may try to extend its influence across the UK, which could bring more in the way of dry, settled weather as we head further into August.
"Temperatures will likely continue to be near or above average overall.
"There is a chance of some very warm or hot spells developing later in August if high pressure wins out for a decent stretch of time, especially in the south and east."