A heatwave has been sweeping through Scotland as record high temperatures and humidity levels soar across the country.
Scotland was declared to be in an official heatwave by the Met Office, as those in the Threave area of Dumfries even saw temperatures spike at a sweltering 30.7C on Monday, June 12. Highs of 32C were recorded in the Midland region of the UK.
However, according to the BBC Weather forecast, thunderstorms will arrive during the weekend in parts of Scotland, as the dry heat triggers some adverse weather. The central belt is expected to see thunder and lightning from 1pm until 7pm, with highs of 21C and lows of 11C.
Rain will then become widespread across Scotland at the beginning of the new week, with the sun coming back out by Tuesday June, 20.
Met Office forecasters have predicted that the weather over the next 10 days will be mostly settled, with less humidity than what the country has experienced in the last week.
Today's forecast in the UK
According to the Met Office's 10-day weather trend, there is some high pressure in the north of the UK that is keeping things settled and mostly cloud free.
Temperatures are remaining high in the west of Scotland, and the south west of the UK.
Friday's forecast
Low pressure from the Atlantic will swirl in from the west, mixing with the high pressure still sitting in the north of the country.
This mixture will bring about some unstable air in Scotland, and Met Office meteorologist Aiden McGivern has states: "By the time we get to the weekend...the low pressure will introduce more unstable air and the jet stream starts to influence our weather a bit more."
Outlook for Saturday to Monday
The forecaster noted that the "ingredients are there" for some adverse weather to build over the weekend, as Scotland is predicted to see the return of thunder and lightning by Monday.
Saturday and Sunday will remain largely dry and settled, but as we head into next week, rain showers, a moderate breeze and possible thunderstorms are expected in the nation.
Long-range weather forecast from June 19 until June 26
According to Aiden, the showers and potential adverse weather will be hit and miss in Scotland and the south west of the UK, with the risk area for the thunderstorms beginning in the west of the country and travelling further north as the days go on.
By Wednesday, June 21, instability and humidity will continue, with both high and low pressure playing a part in some mixed weather across Scotland.
And by the time next weekend comes, due to the airflow changing, humid levels will increase and there will be a switch in where we see the UK's highest temperatures.
According to the main forecast map, Thursday June 22 will see highs of 25C in Scotland, with temperatures cooling to a moderate 23C in the country by Saturday, June 24.
By Monday, June 26, the heatwave will cool slightly in Scotland, with highs of 22C in the hottest areas, and lows of 12C in other areas.
There is no official end date as such but with temperatures dropping slightly by Monday to 22C, the heatwave will end by definition from the Met Office.
A heatwave is three days or more in a row of 25C weather. It means with the temperatures cooling off a little to 21C the official heatwave comes to an end, despite the warm conditions continuing.
For more information, visit the BBC Weather and Met Office website for further details on the weather near you.
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