Mary McCool reported for BBC Scotland News on the recent spike in temperatures across Scotland, marking it as the hottest day of the year thus far. A peak of 24.4C was recorded in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, surpassing the previous highs of 23.5C in Aviemore and 23.4C in Leuchars, Fife. This April temperature in Aboyne stands as the highest in Scotland since 2019. Meanwhile, England experienced a top temperature of 26.7C at Wisley, Wales reached 25.8C in Trawscoed, and Northern Ireland peaked at 24.1C in Castlederg.
Following the heatwave, an extreme wildfire warning has been issued for north-east, central, and southern parts of Scotland, set to last until Saturday. This cautionary measure comes in response to recent wildfires, one of which severely damaged conservation efforts on the Isle of Arran. According to a park ranger, the destructive fire at Glen Rosa, which claimed 15,000 trees and wildlife, was likely ignited by a glass bottle left in the sun. As temperatures soared to 22.8C in Aboyne at the time, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service emphasized the importance of refraining from outdoor fires due to the dry vegetation acting as fuel.
Looking ahead, a mini heatwave is forecasted to continue sweeping across the UK, with temperatures expected to hit around 28C on the first day of May. BBC Weather predicts this to be the hottest April in seven years. Despite the impending cold front from the polar regions, high pressure will maintain settled conditions throughout the rest of the week and into the holiday weekend. Judith Ralston from BBC Scotland Weather highlighted the temporary warmth brought by air from south-east France, with temperatures possibly reaching 25C in favored locations like Aboyne. The noticeable drop in temperatures on Thursday will be followed by a sustained period of pleasant weather
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