Scotland as hot as Barcelona as temperatures sizzle at 20C with clear skies

Scotland is as hot as Barcelona this weekend as sun-worshippers are set to sizzle in highs of 20C.

After a tumultuous week of rain, thunder and sunshine, the Met Office has predicted clear skies and warm conditions for most of the country on Saturday, with mercury reaching highs of 20C – the same as the major Spanish city.

Forecasters say this is down to an area of high pressure sweeping in from the Mediterranean, which is to bring “a lot of settled weather as we go through the weekend”.

Warmer temperatures will remain into Sunday but they will be accompanied by “persistent” rain, with next week set to be a lot cooler.

Speaking on Saturday’s forecast, Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said: “Most places seeing some bright, sunny spells across parts of Scotland, Wales, southwest England – we will see some sunshine at times. One or two showers can’t be ruled out but any that do develop will be short lived, pretty light and the vast majority of us are going to stay dry.

“With a bit less of a breeze than yesterday, today’s going to feel a little bit warmer, temperatures peaking at high teens, low 20s.”

The national forecaster’s weather map published on X shows temperatures reaching 20C in Glasgow and surrounding areas, while areas further north will see a slightly cooler 16C These clear conditions are to last until later tonight, before things change early on Sunday morning.

Mr Burkill added: “Staying largely dry as we go into this evening and through the night. Bit of cloud will push over the far northwest in the early hours of tomorrow morning and there will be a bit of rain making its way towards the outer Hebrides as well.”

Sunday sees a weather divide between the east and west, with the former set to stay dry and sunny, with the latter is in for more rain. “As we go through tomorrow, we are going to see increasing amounts of cloud across many parts of Scotland and some rain which could turn a little bit heavy and a bit more persistent. across the northwest as we go through the day,” the forecast continued.

“Some eastern parts of Scotland are clinging on to some decent, bright weather. We could see temperatures rising quite nicely there.”

Looking to the week ahead, temperatures are set to drop once again, with more rain on the way, according to the Met Office. Its outlook for Monday to Wednesday states: “A front moves southwards across the UK through Monday and Tuesday bringing some heavy showers to the north at times. Temperatures will start to fall in the coming days.”

Join the Daily Record’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.