The heatwave is due to come to an abrupt end for parts of the UK with widespread thunderstorms- but will Scotland be affected?
Thunderstorms are set to abruptly end the ongoing heatwave in parts of the UK(Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
The UK is expecting thunderstorms, hail and lightning in a dramatic end to the ongoing heatwave we’ve seen over the past few weeks. But is Scotland set to see this thundery weather, and if so, where will be affected?
Scots have been enjoying scorching temperatures that reached as high as 24.4C in Aboyne in Aberdeenshire on the hottest day of the year so far, April 30. But this sunny spell could come to an abrupt end, reported The Mirror.
Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey warned of “heavy, short sharp” bursts of rain that could arrive with hail and lightning. He stated: “As is the case with thunderstorms, they’re often quite hit and miss.”
The wetter weather is set to arrive on Monday, May 12, with Scotland seeing some light showers, according to Met Office weather maps.
Although many areas could do with some rain after a particularly dry spring, heavier showers down south could lead to flooding.
According to the Met Office, between 20mm and 30mm of rain could fall within just a couple of hours, or as much as 40mm in three hours.
Motorists have been warned to exercise caution when driving and to be prepared for the possibility of sudden thunderstorms, Mr Vautrey added.
But will we see these thunderstorms in Scotland?
While showers are predicted for parts of Scotland on Sunday, May 11, and Monday, the forecast thunderstorms are set to hit southern England and Wales.
In fact, Cardiff is forecast to be the worst hit by the thunderstorms at around 4pm on Sunday.
The Met Office is keeping a close eye on the situation for any further warnings.
From Tuesday, high pressure will return, bringing dry conditions and sunshine across the UK, with temperatures ranging from low to mid 20s.
As rain soaks some parts of the UK, others will remain in the midst of the heatwave.
Will Scotland see the oncoming thunderstorms?(Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Multiple areas will see conditions significantly hotter than the seasonal daytime average of 15C from Sunday onwards, with the mercury expected to stay above 20C for the next seven days in some places.
Areas to the west of the UK, however, are expected to be much cooler and far wetter.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Dan Harris, said: “From Saturday night, into Sunday morning, there is an increasing chance of rain, showers and isolated thunderstorms moving northwards across the southwest of the UK.
“As we continue through Sunday and into Monday, this will extend to other western parts of Great Britain and into Northern Ireland too.
“On Monday itself, we could see some particularly vigorous thunderstorms developing, most likely in Wales and parts of southern England, whilst elsewhere during this whole period, dry, fine, and increasingly warm conditions are expected.
“Should these thunderstorms develop, especially on Monday, there is potential for 25-35mm of rain to fall in an hour or so which may lead to some localised surface water flooding.
“Hail, lightning, and isolated strong wind gusts would be additional hazards.”
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