Scotland is experiencing significant flooding and fire damage after a barrage of thunderstorms struck the country, following its hottest day of the year. An estimated 32,000 lightning strikes were recorded across Scotland in the 24 hours leading up to the severe weather.
The thundery conditions arrived shortly after Scotland recorded a high of 31.2C (88.2F) in Threave, Dumfries and Galloway, marking the hottest day of the year. Several areas officially experienced a heatwave, with temperatures reaching or exceeding 25C (77F) for three consecutive days.
According to BBC Weather presenter Christopher Blanchett, several days of intense June sunshine and extreme heat created a highly unstable atmosphere. A nearby cold front then moved in, forcing the hot air near the ground rapidly upwards into the freezing layers of the troposphere. This rapid cooling led to the formation of giant cumulonimbus clouds, resulting in the thundery downpours.
Blanchett explained that flash flooding can become a significant problem under these conditions. The ground, having been intensely heated and baked solid, is temporarily unable to absorb the sudden, intensive rainfall, dramatically increasing the immediate risk of flooding.
A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms and heavy rain has been issued by the Met Office, covering most of Scotland. Reports indicate damage from both flooding and fires potentially sparked by the intense weather.