Magic shield that is keeping Scotland sizzling

A SO-CALLED magic shield is expected to protect Scotland from any significant rainfall until at least the start of August, forecasters predicted last night. If their long-range vision is accurate, it will stretch out the current heatwave for another month, bringing the prospect of a scorching summer to rival 1976.

wildfire

Police and firefighters are to carry out joint patrols in a bid to stamp out wildfires (Image: Media Now)

It will also place water supplies under even greater strain, as thirsty consumers draw an extra 140 million litres a day from reservoirs.

Sarah Kent, of the Met Office, said the whole of the UK is now basking under the protection of a major high pressure system, the so-called magic shield.

Rain-bearing low pressure systems may try to head towards us from the Atlantic but the sheer power of the high pressure system deflects them off to Iceland.

Ms Kent said: “There is no significant rain contained in the current forecast, which extends until the beginning of August.

“There is the prospect of low pressure systems trying to force their way into the

west and north-west of the country during the next month or so.

“But they will have to battle against the strength of the high pressure system, so we expect them to be pretty weak affairs.”

The outlook for the whole of the UK from July 19 until August 2 states: “For the last third of July it looks as though fine weather will probably dominate across the bulk of UK, with mostly dry, sunny and warm conditions, especially in the south.

“However, there are likely to be interludes of more unsettled weather, when weather fronts arrive from the west and northwest, or when thundery showers spread from the south. There are very tentative signs that there may be some more generally unsettled weather conditions into the start of August. Temperatures, overall, are likely to be well above average, with some further very warm or hot spells possible.”

UK Weather: Met Office forecast showers as heatwave ends

Of more immediate interest, Scotland’s fine weather extends into yet another weekend, with temperatures in Glasgow expected to top the bill at 26C (79F) on Saturday and Sunday.

The city hosts the second part of the TRNSMT music festival at Glasgow Green, with Queen and Adam Lambert headlining on Friday and the Killers and Franz Ferdinand on Sunday.

In the Highlands, police and firefighters are to carry out joint patrols in a bid to stamp out wildfires and accidental blazes.

The move follows a series of gorse, moor and hill fires across the north, with Banffshire and Morayshire, badly affected.

Police based in Nairn plan to patrol the town’s beaches and tinderbox links areas to stop the setting of deliberate fires – and quickly tackle any that do start.

Inspector Mike Middlehurst said: “Previous joint patrols with our colleagues from Scottish Fire and Rescue have proved successful and we are pleased to be continuing this during the summer.

“Recklessly setting fires is incredibly dangerous – you have no idea how it may develop, especially given the very dry weather we have been experiencing.”

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