The Met Office has issued two yellow thunderstorm warnings for Scotland, warning of heavy rain, large hail, and lightning. The warnings come as temperatures are set to soar, with Dumfries expected to reach 31°C.
First Warning: Thursday Afternoon
The first warning begins at 3pm on Thursday, June 25, and covers northwest Scotland, including the Orkney Islands, parts of the Highlands, and Argyll and Bute. It remains in place until 11:59pm. The Met Office states: "Rain will become heavier, more persistent and more widespread during Thursday afternoon and evening with thunderstorms then potentially also developing in some places."
Rainfall amounts could reach 20-30mm in one hour and 30-50mm in three hours. Stronger storms may bring frequent lightning, gusty winds, and large hail up to 4cm in diameter.
Second Warning: Friday
The second warning covers all of Scotland from midnight on Friday, June 26, until 11:59pm that evening. The Met Office warns: "Spells of heavy rain and thunderstorms initially over northwest Scotland are likely to become more widespread during Friday morning. Further thunderstorms and spells of heavy rain are possible in the afternoon before becoming confined to more northern areas of Scotland later in the day."
Travel delays and cancellations are possible due to flooding or lightning strikes. There is a small chance that some communities could be cut off by flooded roads, and power cuts may occur. Residents are advised to prepare torches, batteries, and portable chargers.
Safety Advice
If caught outside during thunder, seek shelter in a safe enclosed space, such as a car. Avoid sheltering under or near trees or other structures that may be struck by lightning. Move to lower ground if in an elevated area. Secure any moveable objects or temporary structures, such as bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, gazebos, sheds, and fences, to protect property and people from harm.
Check road conditions before traveling and be aware of schedule changes or cancellations on public transport.
Areas Affected
Thursday, June 25: Grampian (Moray), Highlands & Eilean Siar (Highland), Orkney & Shetland (Orkney Islands), Strathclyde (Argyll and Bute).
Friday, June 26: Central, Tayside & Fife (Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Falkirk, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Stirling), Grampian (Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray), Highlands & Eilean Siar (Na h-Eileanan Siar, Highland), Orkney & Shetland (Orkney Islands), SW Scotland, Lothian Borders (Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders, West Lothian), Strathclyde (Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire).
