Latest news with #Med-style
Scottish Sun
07-07-2025
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Scotland on ‘HEATWAVE' alert as weather experts predict 30C scorcher to arrive in days
SOAK IT UP! Scotland on 'HEATWAVE' alert as weather experts predict 30C scorcher to arrive in days THE Met Office say sizzling Scotland will officially enter heatwave territory this weekend – outshining Canary Island hotspots like Tenerife and Gran Canaria. After weeks of jealously eyeing Med-style conditions in England and Wales, Scotland will finally bask in blue skies and searing heat from Friday to Monday. Advertisement 4 Scots enjoy the weather in a sun-soaked beer garden on Glasgow's Buchanan Street Credit: Alamy 4 Two people take shelter from the rain under an umbrella in Gran Canaria Credit: Getty 4 Weather forecasters are predicting a scorcher for TRNSMT music festival Credit: Roddy Scott Temperatures are forecast to hit 27C in Glasgow on Saturday, the midway point for the TRNSMT music festival at Glasgow Green. Tenerife, by comparison, faces a cloudy weekend with highs of just 22C and Sunday looks soggy in neighbouring Gran Canaria. There is also the possibility that Scotland could record its hottest day of the year, currently held by the 29.1C seen at Grangemouth Refinery in Falkirk on June 20. With families and friends desperate to cool off, the authorities are expected to issue graphic warnings about the dangers of entering water following a number of tragedies the last time it was hot. Advertisement Fifteen-year-old Alexander McNab died while paddleboarding at Loch Ore Meadows in Fife on June 28. Two days later, Alan Colquhoun, the founder of the Lodge on the Loch holiday complex on Loch Lomond died after it's thought the 83-year-old fell overboard during a family trip on the water. Looking ahead, the Met Office say temperatures are about to build day-on-day thanks to high pressure moving up from the Azores in the South Atlantic. On Wednesday, we'll start to see temperatures rise further, creeping up towards heatwave criteria as the week goes on. Advertisement Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Holley explained: 'High pressure from the Atlantic will gradually exert its influence over the UK this week. 'We'll see temperatures build day-on-day, with the potential for hot conditions to become quite widespread by the end of the week and into the weekend. Grumpy Wimbledon fans left with sticky fingers as record-breaking weather sees ice creams melt before getting to court 'On Wednesday, temperatures could reach up to 28C in parts of England, climbing to 30C on Thursday and 32C by Friday. "By this stage, heatwave criteria are likely to be met in parts of England and Wales, and in parts of Scotland over the weekend. Advertisement 'High temperatures are likely to persist into the weekend, especially away from coasts with onshore winds, reaching the low 30s in portions of England and Wales, and accompanied by rising humidity and warmer nights. 'This heatwave is likely to last longer than previous ones so far this summer, and affect a wider area, with the focus for some of the highest temperatures displaced across more central and western areas at times. In addition, pollen and UV levels will also be very high in some areas.' 4 Scotland is on 'heatwave' alert as experts predict a 30C scorcher to arrive in days Credit: Alamy There are signs that less hot, or fresher, conditions may arrive from the west into the start of next week, but exactly how quickly this transfers eastwards is uncertain. Advertisement From Friday, thousands are expected to descend on Glasgow for the three-day TRNSMT celebration, starring names like 50 Cent, Snow Patrol and Biffy Clyro. The BBC Weather Service is predicting day-long rays and highs of 27C for Glasgow Green on Saturday. Met Office forecaster Jonathan Vautrey says the settled conditions are a result of the 'Azores High' where warm air arrives here from the South Atlantic. He said:'It's turning drier in the south west because we have high pressure beginning to build its way in from the Azores. Advertisement 'While there is the possibility of fronts slipping into Scotland and Northern Ireland over the next few days, this high looks as if it will build in more widely across the UK, midweek onwards. 'That will lead to fewer showers, more sunny spells and also climbing temperatures.' Elsewhere, all Scots households are being warned to keep windows shut amid incoming hayfever fears. Pollen levels are expected to spike later in the week – something hay fever sufferers will want to prepare for.
The South African
22-04-2025
- The South African
6 SA towns that feel like they're in the Mediterranean
South Africa's coastlines and climate offer more than just beach holidays – they echo the Mediterranean vibe in a way that feels both exotic and familiar. Think whitewashed buildings, olive groves, laid-back cafés, and sea views – but with a price tag that doesn't require a second mortgage! Here are seven South African towns where you can soak up the Med-style lifestyle – without the euro prices… Kalk Bay is the kind of place where locals hang out on balconies overlooking the sea, and artists set up shop in quirky galleries. It's got the feel of a laid-back Mediterranean seaside town in Spain or southern Italy – casual, scenic, and slow-paced. The working harbour adds to the charm, and the fish and chips here are hard to beat! Paternoster could easily pass for a sleepy Mediterranean Greek island village. With whitewashed cottages, blue trim, and fishermen hauling in their daily catch, it's got all the charm minus the crowds. The local seafood – especially the crayfish – is a draw, and the beach stretches out wide and wild. Best part? You can rent a chic cottage for the price of a basic hostel bed in Santorini. This one's for the Provence lovers! South Africa's Franschhoek is wrapped in vineyards and mountains, with French-inspired cuisine and boutique wineries at every turn. It's sophisticated without being snobby, and you'll find everything from lavender fields to sidewalk cafés. The wine is world-class, and the prices? Way less than you'd pay in Bordeaux. The cliffs, the vineyards, the sea views – it's giving Amalfi with a South African twist. Hermanus is famous for whale watching, but it's also a great base for wine tasting and coastal hiking. The Old Harbour area feels like a Mediterranean port town, but with less tourist kitsch and more authenticity. Think Portofino, but with forested cliffs and lagoons! Knysna is a lush coastal town with a mix of Mediterranean green and African wild. The waterfront area has the vibe of a small European marina, and you can hop on a boat, eat fresh oysters, or explore the forests around the lagoon. No coast here – but don't write it off. Prince Albert offers the dry, sunbaked charm of an inland Spanish village. Think terracotta roofs, olive groves, and stone cottages. It's a hub for slow living, good food, and art. The Karoo skies stretch wide, the air is crisp, and the Mediterranean energy is unmistakable. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
