Scots set for hottest day of year as temperatures hit 29C

Scotland is set to have its hottest day of the year so far with temperatures soaring to 29C in some areas.

The central belt, Moray coast and the north and east Highlands are expected to be hit with 25C heat on Friday and Saturday.

While places like Aviemore and Elgin could achieve some of the highest temperatures of around 28 – 29C.

The heatwave comes as the Scottish Government eases lockdown restrictions meaning people are allowed to go outside as much as they like, sit in parks and other public spaces and make the most of the sunshine.

STV News meteorologist Sean Batty said: “Thursday was Scotland’s warmest day of the year so far with the mercury hitting a high of 25.7C in Leuchars, Fife. Edinburgh wasn’t far behind with a high of 24.6C and Aboyne hit 24.4C.

“While the most intense heat on Thursday was focused on the east of the country, today this shifts further west.

“I expect some of the highest temperatures today to be around Glasgow, Moray and the north and east Highlands where temperature could end up around 25C by the middle of the afternoon. At this time of year the highest temperature usually occurs somewhere between 3pm and 6pm.

“In the southerly air flow, additional warming may occur as air descends from mountains in the north of the country, meaning that places like Aviemore, Aberlour, Elgin, Achnasheen, Altass, Oykel Bridge and Altnaharra could achieve some of the highest temperatures.

“Here we could reach as high as 28-29C, which is pretty exceptional stuff for May. The last time the temperature exceeded 29C was at the end of August.

“If we do reach 28-29C in the north of the country, this will take us fairly close to some of our May records, and in a few spots could break them.

“For example in Aviemore, the highest May temperature ever recorded here is 28.1C back in 2012. Records there go back 36 years. This is significant enough, but it would be even more so if Kinloss breached its previous record of 28.3C set in 1992 as the records here go back 68 years.

“While it looks like Moray will be one of the hot spots today, it’s likely that sea breezes could develop and hold the temperature back in coastal areas, making the Kinloss record harder to break than more inland areas.”

Despite the hot weather across most of the country, some haar and low cloud could affect eastern Shetland, the Beauly and Cromarty Firth, as well as the Moray Firth at times which will hold back the temperature.

Shetland is likely to reach about 13C and the Aberdeenshire and Angus coast could also see temperatures pegged back in the mid to high teens due to onshore breezes.

The sunny weather is set to last through the weekend and into the start of next week for most parts of the country. A change later next week could see more showery and cooler conditions returning.

Sean added: “With just over three weeks until the summer solstice, the sun doesn’t get much stronger than it is just now so make sure you have plenty of suntan lotion with you this weekend. Enjoy!”