Scotland's hottest day of the year as temperatures hit 30C

It is officially Scotland’s hottest day of the year so far.

The mercury has reached 30C in Prestwick beating previous heatwaves earlier in the year.

The scorching weather is set to break with the arrival of thunderstorms bringing lightning strikes and downpours.

Storms had already developed through the course of the day across the north-west and are expected to reach much of the west later on Thursday.

A yellow weather warning is in place for Scotland with the storms set to move eastwards into Friday.

The rainfall brings a risk of flooding and disruption to some places.

On Thursday afternoon, a thunderstorm brought thunder and lightening over the Isle of Harris.

STV Meteorologist Sean Batty said: “A few stations have already recorded new June records this afternoon, such as Threave, Dundrennan, Auchincruive and Prestwick.

“Prestwick is Scotland’s warmest place so far today with a high of 30.8C, exceeding its previous record of 30.2C set back in 1995.

“A few other station records could go before the end of the day as temperatures are still rising, like Dunstaffnage near Oban, which is currently just 0.1C off its record.

‘So if you live in the Hebrides, mainland Argyll, around Glasgow and Ayrshire, don’t be surprised if you’re woken up in the night by thunder.’
Sean Batty

“The hot weather is likely to spark off a few thunderstorms later in the west.

Sean added: “Thunderstorms and torrential downpours of rain have affected the north west of Skye and the Western Isle throughout this afternoon with hundreds of lightning strikes.

“Thunderstorms will continue here into the evening, with more popping up elsewhere in the Hebrides and the south west of Scotland overnight.

“So if you live in the Hebrides, mainland Argyll, around Glasgow and Ayrshire, don’t be surprised if you’re woken up in the night by thunder.”