Loch Ness water level ‘dramatically’ low as UK temperatures set to hit 30C

For centuries, the murky depths of Loch Ness have hidden Nessie from prying human eyes – save a few sightings of the mythical beast.

But now diminishing water levels in the UK’s largest body of water could soon expose her scales to sunburn, as the mercury soared across the UK this weekend.

Experts are concerned the shrinking water level in the River Ness and Loch Ness will continue to drop, matching last month’s measurements, which showed levels decreased to their lowest levels since records began in 1990. Last week, the level was classed as “low” for the loch.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has issued a water scarcity alert in parts of the country following the warm temperatures.

Brian Shaw, director of Ness District Salmon Fishery Board, said there had been a “dramatic shrinkage” in the size of the River Ness.

“These conditions are not normally good for angling.

“We’re so early in the year – we’re early summer – and already twice this year the River Ness has got to its lowest level at that particular time of year on record,” he told the BBC, adding there is a “huge amount of concern” about the river’s health.

The environment watchdog also warned that water scarcity in Scotland is “expected to escalate quickly” over the coming weeks due to the lack of rain and high temperatures.

Nathan Critchlow-Watton, Sepa’s head of water and planning, said: “For the risk of water scarcity to have reached significant this early in the summer is extremely concerning and leaves no doubt that the next few months are going to be very challenging for all those who rely on the water environment to run their business.”

The water scarcity warnings follow an amber health alert from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which warns the recent high temperatures could pose a risk to people of all ages. The alert will be in place until 9am on Tuesday, and covers the West Midlands, East Midlands, east of England, South East and South West.

Temperatures in the UK reached 30C for the first time this year on Saturday.

But areas of the country could be hit by thunderstorms, forecasters said, with more expected next week.

The UK’s Met Office issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms on Sunday between noon and 9pm, covering a large area of the UK, including parts of Wales, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

A yellow alert, which is less serious than amber, warns that there may be some disruption to services due to weather conditions.

The turn in weather will be induced by the Iberian Plume, a drift of warm air that caused Saturday to become the hottest day of the year so far, and could trigger widespread thundery showers for the rest of the week.

The Environment Agency has a localised flood alert in place across England due to the heavy rain forecasted.

Looking ahead, Dan Stroud, Met Office meteorologist, predicted: “On Sunday there will be a little bit more cloud, temperatures down a smidgen, but still 28C or 29C, sparking off a few showers and thunderstorm warnings.

“Early next week will be a continuation of hot weather. Monday there will be thunder, showers, but then the weather will try and settle down on Tuesday and mid-week.

“But it will maintain this well-above-average temperature. Most of the UK will meet heatwave criteria.”

This warns the impact of the heat is likely to be felt across the whole health service, and could affect the wider population, “not just the most vulnerable”.