By Sarah Peddie
FLOOD warnings have been issued for parts of Scotland as heavy rain is set to batter the country this weekend.
Unsettled conditions are set to sweep in following a warm and dry spell.
It comes a huge wildfire has been raging through the countryside for three days.
Firefighters are battling blazes stretching miles which took hold due to dry weather and have been whipped up by strong winds across Moray and the Highlands.
Flames reaching 50ft have destroyed habitats and are threatening homes and wildlife with experts warning conditions near the front are “extremely dangerous”.
But now the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued four flood alerts across central and north eastern areas.
Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen, Dundee and Angus, Findhorn, Nairn, Moray and Speyside, and Tayside.
Some downpours are set to turn heavy in the afternoon which may cause flooding across these parts.
The SEPA warning added: “Heavy rainfall may cause flooding from surface water on Monday afternoon and evening.
“Minor flooding impacts and disruption to travel is possible if the heaviest rain falls in vulnerable areas.
“Impacts will be isolated, with not all areas being affected.”
Heavy showers will continue to hit Scotland up until the end of the week where more persistent rain pushes through.
A wet weather front with sweep across the country on Friday morning, along with blustery conditions.
Temperatures continue to hit the high teens, with 18C in Glasgow and 19C in Aberdeen.
The Met Office weather map shows that the rain will continue to batter the country on Saturday and Sunday.
And netweather.tv reveals that nearly 10mm of rain will hit Glasgow on Sunday.
Edinburgh will see over 11mm of rain, and Aberdeen will see around 8mm.
The Met Office long range forecast from Saturday, July 5 until Monday, July 14 states: “Following a fine couple of days in the run up to this period, away from the far northwest where more persistent rain is expected to develop, a transition to something more unsettled countrywide looks likely.
“Cloud and rain associated with an Atlantic frontal system and area of low pressure is likely to sweep south and east, with rain always most persistent on western hills whilst some eastern areas in shelter could see warm and humid brighter breaks.
“Likely turning cooler and more showery later in the weekend and into next week, followed by a changeable pattern with further areas of cloud and rain and brighter, more settled spells in-between.
“Temperatures are likely to be around average overall, with an increasing chance of warmth in the south as the period progresses.”