Scotland's warm and sunny weather is set to continue for a couple more days before giving way to what forecasters say will be "some much-needed" rain this weekend.
BBC Scotland Weather presenter Sara Thornton said the country will enjoy sunshine and temperatures into the low to mid-20s on Wednesday (July 23) and Thursday (July 24). But the forecast warned cooler, wetter conditions are on the way.
Forecast Details
She said: "We could finally see some much-needed widespread rain at the weekend. We are not there yet though."
Speaking about Wednesday's outlook, she said: "High pressure mostly dominating our weather. Although having said that there are a couple of weather fronts just slipping into the north and west at times giving us quite a bit of cloud, especially towards the north this morning and some patchy drizzle as well."
"And all that's just going to sink its way south and eastwards through the day today. Most places they will be dry and any cloud does thin and break at times. In the best of any sunny spells temperatures in the low to mid 20s. Cooler to the north though particularly to the Northern Isles."
Temperature Outlook
The change in conditions will also see temperatures fall sharply after a run of unusually warm weather, with much cooler conditions expected by the end of the weekend.
However, for the next two days, much of Scotland is expected to stay warm and dry. Wednesday's highest temperatures are forecast to reach 23C in Glasgow, 22C in Edinburgh, 19C in Aberdeen and Fort William and 19C in Inverness.
Looking ahead to Thursday, Thornton added: "Tomorrow morning will be a mild start, then though the day tomorrow that cloud thins and breaks very nicely. Some good spells of sunshine for most of us, quite warm at that. It is turning cooler though at the weekend."
Temperatures on Thursday are expected to reach 22C in Edinburgh and Dumfries, 21C in Glasgow, 20C in Aberdeen and 19C in Fort William and Inverness.
Weekend Rain and Beyond
Looking to the weekend, the Met Office forecasts large areas of Scotland will be hit with rain, despite the rain temperatures will stay in the high teens for much of the country.
The unsettled weather is then expected to continue into next week, with forecasters warning that northwest Scotland is likely to see the heaviest rain on Monday.
In its latest long-range forecast, the Met Office said: "A changeable period is likely overall, with many areas likely to see a mixture of bright or sunny spells and some rain at times. Northwestern areas are more likely to see the focus of rainfall, but southeastern areas should also see some showers."
"Confidence becomes lower as we approach the turn of the month, but there are hints that high pressure could return for a time, which would mean dry conditions resuming, especially in the south."
"Winds will be mostly light or moderate, but occasionally fresh or strong around some coasts, mainly in the north. Temperatures will be near or above normal."
