Scotland is set to experience the UK’s hottest day of the year so far, forecasters have predicted.
Parts of the country could reach temperatures of up to 20C degrees on Monday with blue skies forecast from Tuesday onwards.
It comes as high pressure over Scandinavia shelters Scotland from the easterly winds hitting England and Wales.
It means that temperatures as high as 20C could hit parts of the Highlands, which is set to see the warmest weather.
The highest temperature in the UK this year was recorded in Suffolk on March 30 at 17.8C, while Scotland recorded 17.3C at Kinlochewe in Wester Ross on April 8.
On Monday, Glasgow is expected to reach a high of up to 17C, while Edinburgh will be slightly cooler at 15C. Clouds will cover much of the central belt.
Dundee will be cooler still at 10C, Aberdeen at 8C while the Western Isles will see highs of 16C.
STV meteorologist Saen Batty said: “For those of us stuck under cloud today, I know it may not feel like it, but today could be the warmest day of the year so far.
“Temperatures could reach 19-20C in a few spots of the north west Highlands today and tomorrow.
“The warmest day so far this year was on April 8 when the temperature hit 17.3C at Kinlochewe in the Highlands.
“It might feel like it’s taken a long time for us to reach 20C somewhere this year, but in actual fact, it usually doesn’t happen until around mid-April.
“Believe it or not, we had to wait until June 1 in 1983 to hit 20C. Even last year, it took until the end of May to exceed 20C.
“Drier air will reach us tonight from Scandinavia, which means we’re looking at blue skies for most of the country on Tuesday and Wednesday, which will also mean a return to chillier nights with a frost.
“But before you think this is the home run to summer, our southerly airflow this week will become a northerly next week and we’ll see much colder conditions developing.
“However, colder air at this time of year is offset by the strengthening sun, so it should still feel ok by day in the sunshine, but nights next week could widely be below freezing with lows around -7C possible in the Highlands.
“So while warmer conditions are here for a few days, don’t be putting your bedding plants out just yet.
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