Scotland to be battered by thunderstorms as yellow weather warning issued by Met Office

A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued across most of mainland Scotland.

The Met Office said heavy showers will affect the majority of the country, with the warning in place from 10am until 11pm on Saturday.

Lightning and hail are likely with 15 – 20mm of rain expected to hit Scotland and the north of England in just one hour.

The warning will not apply to most parts of the Western Isles, Orkney, Shetland and parts of the north east.

ScotRail has warned passengers of delays and cancellations as its services face speed restrictions.

The Met Office said the heaviest showers and thunderstorms will ease for most areas through the evening but could linger in some parts of the northwest and south of Scotland.

⚠️ Yellow weather warning issued ⚠️

Thunderstorms across Scotland and the north of northern England
Today 1000 – 2300

Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay #WeatherAware⚠️ pic.twitter.com/fkSgVw169C
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 15, 2023

STV meteorologist Philip Petrie said: “Throughout Saturday winds are relatively light because we are currently under the centre of a low pressure, which is currently sat over Scotland.

“Around the perimeters of the low pressure the winds are stronger, but as that system moves north eastwards we see a tightening of the isobars, and in turn strong winds through Sunday which will likely funnel through the central belt, possibly reaching gusts of 40mph.

“Along with this we are continuing to see heavy, thundery showers feeding northwards through Saturday and into Saturday evening, and because we have such light winds the showers will be slow moving.

“So if you get caught under one it will feel persistent. The Met Office have therefore issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms covering a large part of the country, as anywhere could see lightning and hear the odd rumble of thunder.

“Overnight the showers do continue to begin with, the thunderstorm warning runs out at 11pm, but the showers carry on across western coastal parts, with outbreaks of rain and a low cloud base around the Western Isles, Lewis and Harris, Skye.

“Through the early hours of tomorrow that rain pushes further eastwards and will give us further wet and windy conditions through Sunday. We will likely see some disruption tomorrow due to the winds, so it is worth checking bridge closures and planning ahead if travelling.”