Scotland could be set for a heatwave during the early part of July, according to forecasters.
The Met Office says that northern parts of the UK will continue to see a risk of showers during the early part of next week.
Experts say that hot air is currently isolated across southern Europe - but this could be set to shift later in the week.
Forecasters anticipate conditions to become ‘more settled’ across the UK later that week, with temperatures creeping up beyond the average for the time of the year.
READ MORE: Met Office explains percentage symbol on weather app after TikToker gets it wrong
READ MORE: Scotland enjoys hottest day of the year so far as sun-seekers bake in 24 degree heat
WXCharts has forecast temperatures to pick up in Scotland from Friday, July 8 onwards - with the thermostat peaking at 22C in the east and north east.
This will continue on Saturday, July 9 before temperatures increase further into highs near the mid-20s across large parts of the country on Sunday, July 10.
The weather website’s long forecast has temperatures remaining above 20C for the majority of Scotland until at least Thursday, July 14.
It is also expected to remain largely dry during this period.
Met Office experts define a heatwave as “an extended period of hot weather relative to the expected conditions of the area at that time of year.”
The UK’s heatwave threshold is met when a location record a period of “at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold”.
A long range forecast for the UK from the Met Office for July 3 to July 12 reads: “The period will start with scattered showers and sunny spells for most, gradually easing from the west through Sunday.
“More settled conditions are expected into the start of next week, although with a risk of showers at times continuing in the north. A generally more settled regime persists for much of this period, although occasional spells of more organised cloud and rain may continue to affect northern parts at times.
“Southern and eastern areas are most likely to see a good deal of dry and sunny conditions through the period.
“Temperatures feeling near normal to rather cool in the northwest, although likely increasing above normal towards the end of the period as settled conditions become more widespread. In the south and east, temperatures above average to rather warm.”
Scotland recorded its hottest day of the year so far last week.
The Met Office said that temperatures peaked at 24.3C in the Aberdeenshire village of Aboyne on Monday, June 18.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
