THE Met Office has delivered its verdict on whether Scotland is set to face another heatwave in the coming weeks.
Scotland has been facing high temperatures in recent weeks, with Dumfries and Galloway seeing a peak of 31C in late June and other regions across the country seeing the mercury reach the high twenties.
However, according to the Met Office, the sizzling conditions could soon come to an end, as the forecaster predicts that temperatures will fall, with some showers expected in August.
The Met Office has revealed its long-range outlook for the coming month and predicts more settled weather conditions across much of the country next month.
The weather experts have warned that higher pressures are expected, along with the chance of Atlantic rain bands and coastal breezes breaking through.
Although England and Wales are likely to experience hotter spells, Scotland is still in line for temperatures to creep above average during dry spells.
However, the Met Office said dry weather won't be guaranteed everywhere in Scotland, with some areas predicted to see occasional heavy downpours and thundery showers.
The Met Office has advised Scots to keep both the sun cream and waterproofs at the ready for August as the country is expected to see a mixed bag of weather.
A spokesperson added: “As we move into the second weekend of August, conditions across the UK are set to bring a mix of sunshine, showers, and changing temperatures.
“Saturday will begin with a squally band of rain moving southeast across Scotland. This feature will gradually weaken as it progresses, leaving only a few showers by the time it reaches northern Wales and northern England later in the afternoon. Blustery showers will follow into northern Scotland, where it will remain windy throughout the day.
“Elsewhere, conditions will be predominantly dry with sunny spells and variable cloud cover. There is a slight chance of a light morning shower in southern areas, but most places will enjoy a fine day. Temperatures will range from rather cool in the northwest to warm in the southeast, with highs of 24-26°C expected across central, southern, and eastern England. Isolated spots may reach 27°C.
“Showers over Scotland will become confined to coastal northern and western areas overnight, with winds gradually easing. Most other regions will see clear skies, particularly across southern and central parts of the UK. In rural areas, conditions will turn chilly, with isolated fog patches forming in the south and west.
“Minimum temperatures will fall to the mid-single figures Celsius in rural locations, making for a noticeably cooler night compared to recent evenings.”
The weather experts also delivered their verdict on why the UK has been facing warmer-than-average weather over the last few months, with persistent areas of high pressure repeatedly becoming established across the country.
They explained the high pressure brings prolonged spells of sunshine, light winds and above-average temperatures.
Warm nights were also noted as a particularly “significant feature”, with frequent tropical nights and some of the highest June minimum temperatures on record limiting overnight cooling.
The Met Office added that sea surface temperatures around the UK have been unusually high, with an ongoing marine heatwave surrounding many parts of the UK’s coastline.
The weather experts explained that warmer seas can help maintain elevated air temperatures, particularly overnight.
Meanwhile, they noted that climate change has continued to influence the likelihood and intensity of extreme heat.
The latest State of the UK Climate report shows the UK has warmed by approximately 0.25°C per decade since the 1980s.
