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Torrential rain lashes Scotland Torrential rain lashes Scotland
(30 minutes later)
Severe weather warnings have been issued for parts of Scotland, with the south expected to be the worst hit.Severe weather warnings have been issued for parts of Scotland, with the south expected to be the worst hit.
Much of the country has already been affected by heavy rain with some areas due to be hit by torrential downpours.Much of the country has already been affected by heavy rain with some areas due to be hit by torrential downpours.
BBC weather forecaster Gail McGrane warned that up to 50mm of rain could fall, particularly in parts of the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway.BBC weather forecaster Gail McGrane warned that up to 50mm of rain could fall, particularly in parts of the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway.
The Met Office said it expected above or near average rainfall for the rest of the summer. A landslide has already blocked the A7 south of Langholm at Auchenrivock and flood watches are in operation.
It also said there would be more cloudy and cool spells than in previous summers. The Met Office said it expected above or near average rainfall for the rest of the summer and said it would be cloudier and cooler than previous summers.
This is despite this year seeing the warmest May ever recorded in Scotland and 2008 being on target to be one of the 10 warmest years. People usually expect July to be hot and sunny but this could be exceptional weather conditions for this time of year Gail McGraneBBC weather forecasterThis is despite this year seeing the warmest May ever recorded in Scotland and 2008 being on target to be one of the 10 warmest years. People usually expect July to be hot and sunny but this could be exceptional weather conditions for this time of year Gail McGraneBBC weather forecaster
In Edinburgh, 23mm of rain fell between 2100 BST on Wednesday and 0900 BST on Thursday - more than a third of the city's average rainfall for July.In Edinburgh, 23mm of rain fell between 2100 BST on Wednesday and 0900 BST on Thursday - more than a third of the city's average rainfall for July.
In Eskdalemuir, Dumfries and Galloway, which has a July average of 98mm, a total of 23mm also fell overnight, while 24mm fell in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, which has a July average of 76mm.In Eskdalemuir, Dumfries and Galloway, which has a July average of 98mm, a total of 23mm also fell overnight, while 24mm fell in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, which has a July average of 76mm.
Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary have warned motorists to be extra careful on the roads and to be wary of standing water. Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary are warning drivers to stay away from the area affected by the landslide and to follow diversions. They also urged motorists to be extra careful on all roads and to be wary of standing water.
Ms McGrane said southern, central and eastern Scotland would continue to be dull and wet throughout Thursday with some heavy and persistent rain. Gail McGrane said southern, central and eastern Scotland would continue to be dull and wet throughout Thursday with some heavy and persistent rain.
She said the worst of the rain would be in the southern uplands, particularly the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway, where there were likely to be torrential downpours.She said the worst of the rain would be in the southern uplands, particularly the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway, where there were likely to be torrential downpours.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) is operating flood watches for Dumfries and Galloway rivers, Highland Angus rivers and Lowland Angus rivers, the Scottish Borders and West Central Scotland.
Slight improvementSlight improvement
The north east has also been affected by heavy rainfall, but the north west Highlands appears to have escaped the heavy rain. There, the forecast is drier and brighter with a hint of sunshine, particularly in Gairloch, Ullapool and Lochalsh, with temperatures up to 18C.The north east has also been affected by heavy rainfall, but the north west Highlands appears to have escaped the heavy rain. There, the forecast is drier and brighter with a hint of sunshine, particularly in Gairloch, Ullapool and Lochalsh, with temperatures up to 18C.
Ms McGrane said: "The rest of the country will be a dismal 15-16C with rain. People usually expect July to be hot and sunny but this could be exceptional weather conditions for this time of year." Gail said: "The rest of the country will be a dismal 15-16C with rain. People usually expect July to be hot and sunny but this could be exceptional weather conditions for this time of year."
There will be a slight improvement in conditions on Friday, some sunny spells forecast for Saturday and it is expected to be largely dry on Sunday with temperatures reaching 20-21C.There will be a slight improvement in conditions on Friday, some sunny spells forecast for Saturday and it is expected to be largely dry on Sunday with temperatures reaching 20-21C.
Latest figures from the Met Office show that June was wetter than average and only slightly warmer. Latest figures from the Met Office showed that June was wetter than average and only slightly warmer.
So far this year, January and February have also been slightly warmer than the long-term average.So far this year, January and February have also been slightly warmer than the long-term average.
Dr Richard Dixon, director of WWF Scotland, said: "June has been rather average, despite following on from a record-breaking warmest-ever May.
"With two out of six months two degrees warmer than average, 2008 is heading to be one of the 10 warmest years ever recorded for Scotland."