The north-east could bask in balmy September sunshine this week, while forecasters have predicted the hottest day in more than 50 years south of the border.
Temperatures are expected to rise to 22C or even higher in rural Deeside and inland Moray tomorrow, as a heatwave works its way north from France and Spain.
However, the outlook for the West Coast and north-west Highlands is a bleak one of gale force winds and rain.
The Met Office has anticipated temperatures will peak at between 30C and 32C in the south-east of England tomorrow, putting parts of the country on a par with Bangkok, Thailand and Los Angeles.
But the forecasters said temperatures would not surge to such heights in the north, with the Borders set to be the hottest place in Scotland at about 24C.
The rising mercury could be dampened near the sea in Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen with coastal haar possible, keeping temperatures in the low teens.
Last night, Aberdeen Met Office meteorologist, Greg Wolverson, said the scorching weather wasn’t a “dead cert” for the north-east, but it could not be ruled out.
He added: “A lot of warm weather is pushing into the south of England. It is just a case of how far north these warm conditions spread.
“It looks by mid-week as if there will be pretty decent conditions across eastern Scotland, with temperatures potentially rising to above average for this time of year.
“The only caveat is that when you get this warm air, you get this sort of low cloud. That might play a part on the Aberdeenshire coast.
“The high temperatures are more likely for inland Aberdeenshire and parts of Moray, so by Tuesday, we have got some suggestions they could get up to 20C or 22C.
“In Aberdeen, I think cloud will come and go. Tuesday looks to be the warmer of the days. There is a good chance we’ll get above average temperatures, but not record-breaking.”
Mr Wolverson added: “Unfortunately, it is a bit of a contrast the further west you go, where there is more likelihood they will stay behind some thicker cloud and outbreaks of rain.
“The west and north-west are unlikely to see high temperatures.”
The latter could remain the same locally from Tuesday into Wednesday, with some summery weather also possible on Thursday.
If the mercury rises above 31.6C this week, a level which was reached at Gatwick on September 2 in 1961, it will be the hottest day for 55 years.