Thunderstorm weather warning as Scots braced for flooding and travel chaos
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms for parts of Scotland as residents are told to prepare for flooding and lightning strikes.
Scots are braced for torrential downpours as a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms has been extended to parts of Scotland. The Met Office has announced that an existing alert which covered the north of England, Wales and the East Midlands is now in place in the Scottish Borders.
After Scots basked in glorious sunshine over the past few days, a heatwave continued across the UK, with the hottest day of the year so far recorded as temperatures swelled to 33.2C near Gatwick.
But for the areas affected by the weather warning, the Met Office states that the heat and humidity could cause a band of heavy rain as well as thunder and lightning strikes on Saturday evening, into the early hours of Sunday. SEPA has also issued a flood alert for the Scottish Borders, which is " now in force until further notice".
The update means that residents in the Borders are being warned to prepare for potential flooding, power cuts and difficult driving conditions. There is a also a chance of damage to buildings and possible disruption to local bus and rail services.
The alert came into place at 5pm on Saturday (June 21) and will last until 3am on Sunday (June 22).
A Met Office statement reads: "Whilst some showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected during Saturday afternoon, further and potentially intense thunderstorms are likely to develop during Saturday evening across northwest England and perhaps northeast Wales.
"Whilst there is still some uncertainty in when and where these develop, thunderstorms could produce a combination of frequent lightning, large hail, strong winds and heavy rain (in places, 30-40 mm in less than 2 hours) as they move northeast into northeast England and perhaps southeast Scotland overnight.
"Thunderstorms are expected to move offshore into the North Sea during the latter part of Saturday night."
Meteorologist Aidan McGivern predicted yesterday during his weekend weather update, that the weather could take a turn for the worst as he said Scotland's southern regions could face "large thunderstorms, frequent lightning, large hail, heavy rain, and gusty winds" today.
In a video posted on social media, Aidan spoke about the heatwave and the potential for some extreme weather. He said: "This Saturday is the Summer Solstice; peak sun strength. But also, in eastern parts of the UK, peak heatwave, with fresher air arriving through the day from the west.
"But as that fresher air collides with the plume of heat coming up from the south, we're likely to see some very severe thunderstorms in places."
Scots continued to enjoy warm weather conditions today with temperatures an average of 25C today interspersed with scattered showers. Yesterday, temperatures reached highs of 28.9 degrees in Scotland.
Aidan continued: "Very hit and miss showers but by the end of the day we are concerned about all the ingredients coming together to provide the set up for some severe thunderstorms.
"And the main focus region at the moment is across the central site of the UK; north Wales, north Midlands, northern England, southern Scotland.
"That's where there is the greatest risk of very large thunderstorms, frequent lightning, large hail, heavy rain, gusty winds for a few hours on Saturday late afternoon and into the evening.
"If this comes off - because all the ingredients are in the right place, but it's at the moment too early to say exactly when and where - then it would cause considerable impacts."
Looking ahead to tomorrow (Sunday) and Scotland is set for some bright, sunny spells as well as scattered showers, occasionally heavy with a chance of thunder. The Met Office states it will be a "fresher day but still quite warm towards the east coast. Maximum temperature 19 °C."
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
19 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Cooler weather forecast after UK sees hottest day of the year
However, Sunday is expected to be a day of 'sunny spells and showers' with highs of around 27C and 28C, Met Office weather forecaster Dan Stroud said. Conditions are expected to feel 'a lot fresher' in the west of the country whilst remaining 'very warm and humid' in the east, he added. 'For the vast majority of the country, the temperature is going to be much, much closer to the mid, late June average. 'As we move our way through Sunday night into Monday, it's going to feel a lot fresher for us all, a lot more comfortable sleeping conditions.' This comes after a yellow warning for thunderstorms, covering parts of south-east Scotland, Yorkshire, the Midlands and Wales was issued by the Met Office from 5pm on Saturday until 3am on Sunday. A yellow warning for thunderstorms has been issued by the Met Office over the weekend after the sunny weather (Lucy North/PA) Up to 40mm of rain could fall in less than two hours, the forecaster said, as it urged those in the warning areas, which includes Manchester, Derbyshire and Newcastle upon Tyne, to consider whether their location is at risk of flash flooding and to prepare accordingly. Overnight on Saturday, 'a lot cooler' and 'a lot fresher' conditions are forecast, with the exception of the east of England, including London and the South East, which could experience a 'tropical night', Mr Stroud said. 'In one or two spots that could potentially be a tropical night, which is where the overnight minimums actually fail to drop below 20 degrees,' he added. 'We haven't had any of those yet.' On Friday night, Somerset came 'very close' to recording a tropical night as temperatures dropped to a minimum of 19.7C, the forecaster said. An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK. 'Many places' in England and 'one or two areas' in Wales, including Cardiff, entered a heatwave following Friday's highest temperatures, the Met Office previously said. An amber heat-health alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the first time since September 2023, for all regions in England remains in place over the weekend. (PA Graphics) The agency has warned that significant impacts are likely across health and social care services, including an increase in demand, during the alert period. Temperatures reached 32.2C in Kew, west London, on Thursday while Friday saw highs of 30.8C recorded in both England and Wales. Ireland's hottest temperature for almost three years of 29.6C was recorded on Friday in Mount Dillon, Co Roscommon, Irish forecaster Met Eireann said. Pharmacies have advised their patients to store medicines safely as the heat-health alert continues, adding that most medicines kept at room temperature should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and hot areas, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) said. Warmer temperatures may lead to some medicine losing its effectiveness or unwanted side effects, the NPC added. The hot weather comes as thousands of people watched the sunrise over Stonehenge in Wiltshire to celebrate the summer solstice on Saturday, marking the year's longest day.
Western Telegraph
24 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Cooler weather forecast after UK sees hottest day of the year
On Saturday, provisional temperatures recorded included 33.2C in Charlwood, Surrey, 26.9C in Bute Park in Cardiff and 27.2C in Aviemore in the Highlands. However, Sunday is expected to be a day of 'sunny spells and showers' with highs of around 27C and 28C, Met Office weather forecaster Dan Stroud said. Conditions are expected to feel 'a lot fresher' in the west of the country whilst remaining 'very warm and humid' in the east, he added. 'For the vast majority of the country, the temperature is going to be much, much closer to the mid, late June average. 'As we move our way through Sunday night into Monday, it's going to feel a lot fresher for us all, a lot more comfortable sleeping conditions.' This comes after a yellow warning for thunderstorms, covering parts of south-east Scotland, Yorkshire, the Midlands and Wales was issued by the Met Office from 5pm on Saturday until 3am on Sunday. A yellow warning for thunderstorms has been issued by the Met Office over the weekend after the sunny weather (Lucy North/PA) Up to 40mm of rain could fall in less than two hours, the forecaster said, as it urged those in the warning areas, which includes Manchester, Derbyshire and Newcastle upon Tyne, to consider whether their location is at risk of flash flooding and to prepare accordingly. Overnight on Saturday, 'a lot cooler' and 'a lot fresher' conditions are forecast, with the exception of the east of England, including London and the South East, which could experience a 'tropical night', Mr Stroud said. 'In one or two spots that could potentially be a tropical night, which is where the overnight minimums actually fail to drop below 20 degrees,' he added. 'We haven't had any of those yet.' On Friday night, Somerset came 'very close' to recording a tropical night as temperatures dropped to a minimum of 19.7C, the forecaster said. An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK. 'Many places' in England and 'one or two areas' in Wales, including Cardiff, entered a heatwave following Friday's highest temperatures, the Met Office previously said. An amber heat-health alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the first time since September 2023, for all regions in England remains in place over the weekend. (PA Graphics) The agency has warned that significant impacts are likely across health and social care services, including an increase in demand, during the alert period. Temperatures reached 32.2C in Kew, west London, on Thursday while Friday saw highs of 30.8C recorded in both England and Wales. Ireland's hottest temperature for almost three years of 29.6C was recorded on Friday in Mount Dillon, Co Roscommon, Irish forecaster Met Eireann said. Pharmacies have advised their patients to store medicines safely as the heat-health alert continues, adding that most medicines kept at room temperature should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and hot areas, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) said. Warmer temperatures may lead to some medicine losing its effectiveness or unwanted side effects, the NPC added. The hot weather comes as thousands of people watched the sunrise over Stonehenge in Wiltshire to celebrate the summer solstice on Saturday, marking the year's longest day.
Sky News
an hour ago
- Sky News
UK weather: Up to 40mm of rain could fall in two hours amid thunderstorm warning
A yellow warning is in place for "potentially intense" thunderstorms in large parts of the country - and some places could have up to 40mm of rainfall in less than two hours. The Met Office said there could also be "frequent lightning, large hail and strong winds". The alert lasts until 3am on Sunday and covers parts of North East and North West England, the Midlands, Yorkshire, northeast Wales and the Scottish Borders. The Met Office urged those in the warning areas to consider if their location is at risk of flash flooding and to prepare accordingly. Forecasters have said the heatwave in parts of England and Wales provides "perfect conditions" for thunderstorms. On Saturday, the UK had the hottest day of 2025 so far, with a temperature of 33.2C (91.7F) recorded in Charlwood, Surrey. And thousands of people watched the sunrise over Stonehenge in Wiltshire to celebrate the summer solstice, marking the year's longest day. Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said "hot and humid air is being dragged up" from parts of continental Europe. "But we also have low pressure out in the Atlantic, and that is driving weather fronts across the UK, providing instability in the air and the perfect conditions to start sparking off some thunderstorms as that hot and humid air rises rapidly," he added. The east of England, including London and the South East, could experience a "tropical night", although most of the country will see "a lot cooler" and "a lot fresher" conditions, Met Office forecaster Dan Stroud said. "In one or two spots, that could potentially be a tropical night, which is where the overnight minimums actually fail to drop below 20 degrees (centigrade)," he added. Sunday will see a day of "sunny spells and showers" with highs of around 27C and 28C, Mr Stroud said. An amber heat-health alert for all regions in England remains in place over the weekend. The alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has warned that significant impacts are likely during the alert period across health and social care services, including a rise in demand.
