Exactly when Scotland's hot weather will end as temperatures could rocket to 26C

Scotland is officially getting a taste of summer with the mercury heating up to the mid-20s.

The long awaited brush of summer heat has been building up over the weekend. "Sunny and warm" sums it up for most, according to BBC Scotland Weather, which reports temperatures could hit a scorching 26C for inland Aberdeenshire.

Meanwhile, those in the central belt will be treated to 23C, but as with all good weather in Scotland, the question is how long it will last. The Met Office has addressed that key question in its latest report.

The national forecaster says temperatures could reach a peak in the UK on Wednesday. The forecast shows the high pressure responsible for the fine weather may begin to break down Tuesday night with the onset of heavy showers and thunder.

For Scots, the warmest weather will be today with very humid conditions. Temperatures will widely be 22 to 24C across the country but cooler over the Western Isles, says BBC Scotland Weather presenter Judith Ralston.

The mercury will drop slightly over Tuesday and Wednesday. Met Office temperature maps indicate highs of 22C in Dumfries, 21C in Glasgow and generally 18-20C.

The Met Office states: "Although temperatures could reach a peak on Wednesday, it also looks like we may see the breakdown of this high-pressure from Tuesday night into Wednesday as things turn more unsettled. With this breakdown, there is also the chance of some heavy showers or thunderstorms in places, with the most persistent rain likely in the west or southwest.

"Confidence in the forecast reduces markedly from Wednesday onwards, with uncertainty in both how long the heat will last and how it will break down, which we will be keeping an eye on for the coming days. However, by next weekend, cooler, changeable conditions become more likely."

Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.