The north and north-east could be hit with heavy thunderstorms this weekend due to a “Spanish Plume” passing over the country.
The plume, which is driving hot and humid weather, is likely to trigger flash flooding, thunder storms – and even tornadoes in some parts of the UK.
Western parts of Scotland are expected to be worst-effected but stormy weather is also predicted to spread to Aberdeen and Highlands in the early hours of Sunday morning.
However, the weather is expected to clear up by the afternoon, leaving in its wake hot and humid temperatures.
Meanwhile, the Western Isles is set for thunderstorms which are likely to continue well into Sunday evening.
A Spanish Plume is the result of a large southwards dip in the high altitude jet stream develops to the west of Europe, encouraging a deep southerly wind flow.
Hot, unstable air is expected to push up from France into the UK, bringing temperatures to about 30C and triggering torrential thunderstorms, with the risk of more than
30mm in less than an hour.
A Met Office spokesman said: “Isolated heavy, thunderstorms could break out on Saturday afternoon and last into the evening.
“Whilst most will miss these, the public should be aware of the risk of localised surface water flooding, strong gusts, lightning and hail.”
The warning comes after US scientists found that July was the warmest month on record worldwide and 2015 is likely to be the hottest year.
As the wind becomes southerly on Friday and Saturday, the brief surge of heat from the continent will affect central and eastern parts of England.
The heat and humidity in central and eastern areas could also trigger severe thunderstorms in the Midlands and northern England. Hail and strong wind gusts are possible.
The unsettled conditions could last into the start of next week, before turning cooler again.
This pushes hot and humid air from Iberia north and north-east into northern Europe, including the British Isles.
The proximity of active weather systems moving with the jet stream along with heat from the summer sunshine can encourage thunderstorms.
Forecasters said the Spanish Plume can create a risk of tornadoes, although there is a low risk of that this weekend.