'Isolated lightning strikes' expected during hottest day on record

The Scottish Borders could break the temperature record and be struck by lighting on the same day, forecasters have warned.

Scottish Borders amber thunderstorm warning in place for ‘isolated lightning strikes’ iStock

A thunderstorm warning has been put in place for parts of Scotland amid volatile heatwave conditions.

On Tuesday, the Scottish temperature record of 32.9C was broken in the Borders, with the mercury soaring to 34.8C in Charterhall.

The record high comes amid an amber weather warning for extreme heat, which will remain in place until midnight on Tuesday.

However the Borders will also be subjected to a period of thunder and lightning on Tuesday afternoon and evening, according to forecasters.

Residents have been urged to be wary of “isolated gusts” of up to 60mph and downpours, though both are expected to blow past fairly quickly.

A yellow warning has been put in place from 4pm until 8pm.

Temperatures reached 40C for the first time on record in the UK on Tuesday, with 40.2C provisionally recorded at Heathrow Airport.

The Met Office said: “Whilst many places will remain dry and hot through this afternoon, isolated thunderstorms are expected to develop across northern England and far southeast Scotland.

“These will move quickly north with frequent lightning and the potential for localised but very strong winds with gusts of 60mph possible.

“Any heavy rain is expected to be short-lived.”

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