Scotland weather: Met Office warning for thunderstorms comes into force amid threat of travel disruption

Large swathes of Scotland could be hit with heavy showers and thunderstorms on Sunday after a yellow warning came into effect.

The Met Office said disruption to transport in some places is likely while some regions may experience flooding.

The forecaster expanded its warning – which already blanketed the entire western half of the country – to more eastern areas, including Edinburgh.

It means most of the country – except the far north, north east and most eastern side of the Borders – is placed under the alert.

The yellow warning for thunderstorms came into force at 2pm on Sunday and will end at 3am on Monday.

⚠️ Yellow weather warning UPDATED ⚠️

Thunderstorms across parts of Scotland, extended further east

Sunday 1400 – Monday 0300

Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs

Stay #WeatherAware⚠️ pic.twitter.com/6vexPy2hSr
— Met Office (@metoffice) May 12, 2024

The Met Office said spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.

There is also a “small chance” that flooding could cut some areas off.

“Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services,” the forecaster added.

“There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost.”

There is also a small chance that fast-flowing or deep floodwater could cause a danger to life.

Sunday morning will start murky towards some northeast coasts, but elsewhere will see plenty of sunny spells

Scattered showers though will start to develop across Northern Ireland and Scotland as the morning progresses pic.twitter.com/D0s8CScJgD
— Met Office (@metoffice) May 11, 2024

The Met Office said: “Heavy showers, some thundery, are likely to break out over parts of western Scotland during Sunday afternoon.

“Further spells of heavy rain, with a chance of thunder in places, most likely the south, follows from the south during Sunday evening.

“Some intense downpours are possible in a few places, giving 20 to 30 mm in less than hour and perhaps 30-50 mm over two to three hours leading to surface water flooding.”

It comes after much of the country experienced clear skies and sunny weather at the weekend, with temperatures rising to the mid-20s in some areas.

On Sunday, the mercury will cool and fall to the mid to high teens and early 20s in a few places.

But the clear skies will begin to end as the risk of thunderstorms and showers increases.