Landslides, Water Woes Loom as Scotland’s Record Dry Spell Ends in Storm

Scotland’s extraordinary stretch of spring sunshine is ending not with a whimper, but a thunderclap.

After five weeks of parched conditions and historic low rainfall, the nation braces for a sudden shift in weather, with forecasts of heavy rain, hail, and thunder sweeping in from the Atlantic starting Friday night.

The abrupt change has prompted a landslide warning on one of Scotland’s most vulnerable roads—the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful, where Bear Scotland will activate a backup route to protect drivers.

After the Driest Start to the Year Since 1964

Until now, 2025 had shaped up to be one of the driest springs in over a century. According to the Met Office, parts of eastern Scotland have gone more than a month without measurable rainfall. Some gauges have recorded no precipitation since early April.

May 13 marked the hottest day of the year so far, with thermometers hitting 25.5°C in both Tyndrum and Auchincruive.

But now, high pressure is giving way, opening the door for low-pressure systems barreling in from the Atlantic.

“This weekend will see high pressure relinquish its grip,” said BBC Scotland senior weather presenter Christopher Blanchett. “We’ll see a spell of heavy rain on Friday night, followed by an unsettled spell through the weekend and into next week.”

A Landslide Risk at the Rest and Be Thankful

One of the earliest and most serious concerns is on the A83, particularly the treacherous stretch at Rest and Be Thankful—a winding mountain road notorious for landslips.

Bear Scotland, the agency responsible for the road, announced it will preemptively divert traffic to the Old Military Road starting 8:00 p.m. Friday through Tuesday morning.

“While the weather has been extremely dry and sunny, our decision to divert A83 traffic is based on the incoming forecast for heavy rain,” said Euan Scott, northwest representative for Bear Scotland. “We know from experience that landslides are especially likely during the first rainfall after a prolonged dry spell.”

The area has been the site of numerous landslips in the past, often triggered when dry, compacted soil rapidly absorbs rain, loosening debris and sending it sliding onto the highway below.

Past Landslip Events on the A83

While the rain will bring short-term relief to parched landscapes, Scotland’s environment agency Sepa warned the deluge is unlikely to solve the ongoing water crisis.

“We would need well above average rainfall in the coming weeks to restore normal river levels,” Sepa said in a statement.

Large swathes of eastern Scotland—from Fife to Dumfries and Galloway—remain under moderate to significant water scarcity warnings.

In Dumfriesshire, if no significant rainfall arrives within the next seven days, the River Esk is expected to be elevated to a “significant scarcity” classification. In Dumfries, parts of the River Nith have dried to the point that riverbeds lie exposed, with only a trickle of water flowing in some areas.

Driest Areas in Scotland (May 2025)

The incoming front will mark a stark reversal for many Scots who’ve grown accustomed to blue skies.

Blanchett warned of frequent showers through Saturday and Sunday, accompanied by hail, thunder, and gusty westerly winds.

“The Atlantic is roaring back to life,” Blanchett said. “We’ll likely see multiple bands of wet, unstable air moving over the country in the coming days.”

While western regions such as Argyll and the Highlands will bear the brunt initially, the East Coast and Central Belt are also expected to see localized downpours over the weekend.

Infrastructure Under Pressure

While the rains may be welcomed by gardeners and fire services—who’ve warned of increased wildfire risk during the dry spell—the sudden influx of moisture brings flooding and landslip concerns.

Scotland’s government has already allocated £12 million this year toward landslip mitigation along the A83 corridor. Temporary netting, hillside sensors, and new catch fences have been installed—but as Scott emphasized, “Nature often finds a way.”

The Old Military Road detour has become a familiar fallback for locals and hauliers alike, winding its way beneath the steeper slopes that line the A83.

“We monitor the hillside every day,” Scott added. “Our crews are ready.”

A Spring to Remember

Scotland’s dry spell has not only broken records but sparked debate about the country’s climate resilience in a warming world.

Though rainfall is expected this weekend, Sepa and the Met Office stress that Scotland may see more volatile patterns ahead—hotter, drier springs followed by abrupt, soaking storms.