Could the best week of summer be on the way for Scotland?

Over the next couple of weeks, it looks like we’re finally going to have another crack at summer – something that’s felt in short supply across much of the country.

After a pretty miserable weekend, particularly in the west, where some places saw more than a week’s worth of rain, it certainly hasn’t felt very seasonal. Meanwhile, the south of England enjoyed sunshine and hot weather.

The good news is that the best spell of the Scottish summer could be just around the corner. Conditions will start to warm up this week, with hot conditions in some spots by Friday. But, as always, there’s a catch – it won’t be sunny and dry all the time.

Let’s start with the temperatures. At long last, it looks like the heating shouldn’t kick in this week as much warmer air arrives. By Tuesday, temperatures should begin to top 20C, with the best chance around Perth, eastern Fife and Edinburgh.

The warmth then steadily builds through the week. By Friday, many areas are expected to reach the low to mid-20s, with the highest temperatures likely along the Moray coast, around Glasgow, the Borders and East Lothian. Current weather models are even suggesting highs of up to 28C in the warmest spots.

While temperatures rise, the sunshine won’t always be guaranteed. There will still be plenty of cloud at times, particularly across the Hebrides, the Northern Isles and the west Highlands.

Wednesday looks brightest in the east, while Friday should bring the best combination of sunshine and heat across southern and eastern Scotland. At the moment, Friday is shaping up to be the standout day of the week.

If you’re already looking ahead to the weekend, Saturday could become cloudier as a weak weather front pushes across the country, bringing an increased risk of scattered showers.

Looking beyond that, next week is when the weather really begins to shine. High pressure is expected to become established over Scotland, bringing more widespread sunshine for many. The main exception may be the East Coast, where areas of haar could develop at times if an easterly sets in.

Temperatures should remain in the mid-20s in the warmest locations, with western areas currently favoured for the highest values.

The longer-range outlook suggests this warm spell probably won’t last beyond next week, with temperatures expected to ease back as the month progresses. But let’s not worry about that yet…