SHIVERS and showers will dominate election day, as voters go to the polls tomorrow under leaden summer skies.

In a continuation of a miserable season so far, all of Scotland can expect a soaking and temperatures way below the seasonal norm.

The BBC Weather Service is predicting day-long downpours for all four of Scotland’s biggest cities, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee.

And coastal areas could experience strong gusts of wind of up to 40 to 50mph, with 40mph gusts inland.

The mercury is not expected to rise above 13C in the west and 15C in the east.

The average July temperature in Scotland usually varies between 17C and 20C.

Paul Gundersen, a Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "Strong winds are expected on Thursday, with Scotland bearing the brunt.

"Inland areas in Scotland could see gusts of 30 to 40 miles per hour, whilst coastal areas and hills could experience gales with gusts of 40 to 50 miles per hour.

"Along with that wind, the west and northwest of Scotland will also see blustery showers, which will perhaps merge into longer spells of rain later.

"A few showers are also likely across Northern Ireland, Wales and northern England, but southern England should remain dry with sunny spells.

"It will feel cooler in the damp northwest, but temperatures will be nearer average in the south and southwest.

"That rain is expected to continue in parts of Scotland and perhaps Northern Ireland overnight.”

We told earlier that the middle of July will be the time we see a glimmer of hope for something warmer and drier.

January saw Scotland record the UK’s hottest-ever temperature for the month, a remarkable 19.6C at Kinlochewe in Wester Ross.

And even though it was largely dull, this year was our hottest-ever May before June began with snow on the hills.

A continuation of an Atlantic flow means that Scotland is in line for rain and showers until mid-July, according to the Met Office’s long-range forecast.