Scotland faces two days of thunderstorms

The Met Office warns of a thundery end to the heat with a danger to life in parts of Scotland as storms move in.

Scotland braces for severe thunderstorms as Met Office warns of danger to life

Scotland faces two days of thunderstorms after a spell of hot weather. The Met Office issued a yellow thunderstorm warning covering almost all of Scotland from 2pm today, with the alert expanding nationwide overnight and into tomorrow evening. Forecasters say temperatures could push toward 30C in places before storms arrive, with Glasgow expected to reach around 28C at the peak.

Expect difficult driving, power cuts, and delays to public transport as downpours and gusty winds move through. Sudden flooding could follow heavy rain, and deep or fast flowing floodwater could pose a danger to life in the worst-hit areas. The warnings come after Storm Floris last week and fit a broader pattern researchers link to climate change, which has boosted warm summers and the frequency of extreme weather.

Two days of storms on the back of a heat spike highlight a growing risk pattern. Forecasts show the heat and the storms arriving close together, testing how households and services plan for rapidly changing weather. The Met Office warnings reflect a shift toward more extreme weather events and the need for clear, actionable public guidance.

Looking ahead, climate science is clear that warming temperatures are not a distant issue. The public should treat warnings seriously, prepare for power cuts and travel delays, and support resilient infrastructure in the long run. The coverage also raises questions about how authorities invest in forecasting and emergency response as the climate shifts.

Highlights

Weather systems like this test public resilience as much as forecasting.