[July 04, 2011] Scots make the most of a rare sunny day [Scotsman, The (Scotland)] Tweet (Scotsman, The (Scotland) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) SCOTLAND will bask in the hottest temperatures of the year so far today, with forecasters predicting the mercury will nudge 24C in parts of the country.After a scorching weekend in which temperatures exceeded those in tourist hotspots such as Portugal, the fine and dry conditions will only improve, smashing the existing 2011 high of 23C.However, any hopes that summer has at last arrived look set to be doused, with heavy rain expected to sweep over much of the country from tomorrow onwards, while the longer-term forecast is ominous for this weekend's T in the Park.The hottest place in Scotland yesterday was Aviemore, which recorded a maximum temperature of 22.1C by mid-afternoon, making it hotter than holiday destinations such as Lisbon and Mexico City.Perth also enjoyed sizzling temperatures of 22C, while the mercury reached 20C and 21C in Edinburgh and Glasgow respectively. Temperatures reached 20C in Inverness and Dumfries, while Aberdeen enjoyed a pleasant 19C. Conditions proved cooler in the islands, however, with temperatures of 17C in Stornoway, and just 15C and 14C in Kirkwall and Lerwick.Temperatures peaked at 24C in London.Sun worshippers flocked to popular retreats such as Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, Kelvingrove Park in the west end of Glasgow and Aberdeen's Union Terrace Gardens.So too, people descended on popular beaches such as Portobello, Ayr, and Troon, while there were large crowds on the first day of Broughty Ferry's gala week. Others logged on to Twitter to reveal their plans for a day in the sun and express incredulity at the warm conditions."Stunning sunshine and actually hot in East Neuk today, brekkie outside & Sunday papers," wrote Rory Lawson, while Emma Farr posted: "I think today calls for afternoon at the beach and bbq for tea... need to make the most of this weather in Scotland!"The good weather is set to continue and it is expected that today may be the hottest day of the year so far in Scotland, surpassing the 23C reached in Aboyne, Deeside, during the second week of April.A Met Office spokesman said: "I think there's a good chance of the record being broken. In the central Highland area around Tyndrum I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the temperatures go above the April record."Today, however, looks to be the last hot and dry day Scotland can expect to enjoy for the rest of the week. The Met Office is warning of wet conditions as of tomorrow morning, and they will remain in place until the weekend."Monday will be similar to the weekend, another fine day across most of Scotland," a spokesman said. "I would expect to see Aviemore reach 24C with somewhere like Glasgow around 22C."But on Tuesday, things all change. It'll be overcast in the east, with cloud and rain in the morning over the west coast. That will spread east, and temperatures will come back to a normal seasonal range of around 17C to 18C."There will be solid band of rain north of St Andrews over to Skye."Taste of what's to comeToday will be largely fine, with some decent spells of sunshine. The Central Belt will enjoy temperatures of about 22C, while it will be even hotter further north, possibly 24C in Aviemore.But the rain of recent weeks is set to return tomorrow, with temperatures falling to about 17C. Rain is forecast in the morning for the west coast, before it heads east. These unsettled conditions continue through to Thursday, with sunny spells and frequent showers across the Central Belt, at times heavy and thundery. Sadly for T in the Park, the showers are set to linger until Sunday. (c) 2011 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]