'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complaining…

Summer is the season of warmth – at least that’s what it’s like in other countries.

While we’re basking in this gorgeous hot spell we can’t forget that summer in Scotland can be very, eh, changeable…

While right now we may be enjoying the vibrant colours and blooms of summer there is of course the other side of summer that commands our attention - with weather warnings in force across the UK, there is the spectacle of looming thunderstorms.  I’ve always been a fan of storms – an experience for all the senses. The sky darkens, and the atmosphere becomes charged. Thunder booms and reverberates across the sky, punctuating the display of lightning that cuts across the horizon…

Storms naturally bring the rain, rejuvenating the parched earth, refreshing the plants and trees, but it is the lightning that usually tops the bill – with its dramatic arcs, forks, and bolts of luminosity. On a personal note I’ve always been more captivated by thunder – the wide range of sounds from a low, distant grumbles to the dramatic crashes that rattle your windows.

Storms captivate our senses, but they can also pose risks - we should avoid open fields, tall trees, and large bodies of water during thunderstorms, as these can be prone to lightning strikes. Nonetheless storms remind us of nature's power and I would argue, its beauty.

The Scottish Community Safety Network (SCSN) is the national forum for officers who are responsible for the strategic development of community safety at both local and national level, in the private, public and voluntary sector - their Annual Member & Stakeholder Survey 2022-23 is now live:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YNNK7BZ

Enjoy the sun – but if you find yourself in a storm, stay safe!

All the best

Alan