Yellow Weather Warning Issued in Scotland as Heavy Rain Approaches

The Met Office has announced a yellow weather warning for parts of Scotland ahead of the weekend, indicating a significant change in weather as the recent heatwave dissipates. The alert, which starts at 6am on Friday and continues until 3pm on Saturday, encompasses regions such as Central, Tayside and Fife, the Highlands, Eilean Siar, and Strathclyde.

Forecasters predict that persistent and heavy rain will begin on Friday and will continue through the night into Saturday, slowly tapering off thereafter. Rainfall accumulations are expected to range from 40 to 60mm in most areas, with mountainous regions possibly receiving over 100mm. Additionally, strong winds are expected, particularly during the day on Friday, with gusts reaching between 40 to 50mph in coastal and hilly areas.

The Met Office has cautioned that driving conditions could deteriorate due to spray and flooding, which may lead to longer travel times and possible service disruptions for power, buses, and trains. To mitigate potential damage from flooding, residents are advised to prepare a flood kit and reconsider road travel during hazardous conditions.

This weather warning follows a period of intense wildfires that plagued the Scottish Highlands for several consecutive days, exacerbated by the significant heatwave affecting the UK and continental Europe. The Scottish Gamekeepers Association emphasized that these fires posed a risk to human life, stretching firefighting resources thin and hindering their ability to respond to other emergencies.

On the hottest day of the year, Tuesday saw temperatures soar over 34 degrees Celsius, with the Met Office reporting a peak of 34.7C at St James’s Park in London. This year’s June has set records, marking England's warmest June and the UK’s second warmest since records began in 1884, only surpassed by June 2023. However, in contrast to the preceding heat, cooler weather is expected for the remainder of the week, with a yellow thunderstorm warning already issued for Wednesday in parts of Scotland and north-east England.

Looking ahead to Thursday, the weather is anticipated to split, featuring cool sunshine and frequent blustery showers in the North while the South enjoys a mostly dry outlook with warm spells of sunshine. As the week progresses, Friday will bring brisk winds and rain in the North, whereas the South should remain dry with sunny conditions.