The Met Office has announced that the UK could experience a heatwave late next week, with temperatures set to rise after a period of cold and rainy weather. Forecasters predict that mercury levels could exceed 30°C in some areas, with the east and south east of England most likely to be affected.
Potential Heatwave Dates and Temperatures
Temperatures are expected to increase across the UK next week, with a potential heatwave arriving on the weekend of June 20 and 21. Weather maps indicate that the mercury could soar past 30°C, particularly in the east and south east. Speaking on the Met Office YouTube channel, forecaster Alex Burkill said: “It is going to be warmer this weekend but hotter next weekend. We are talking a potential heatwave.”
He added: “There are signs that we could see another heatwave by the end of next week and into the weekend. Potential for a heatwave for sure, some predictions are showing high 20s, low 30s, some predictions were showing far hotter than that, exceptionally so.”
Weather Outlook for the Coming Days
This weekend and early next week will bring bright and sunny spells to much of the UK. Forecasters say the weather will remain largely dry and generally warm on Monday with variable cloud, but rain will spread into the northwest from Tuesday. From Wednesday to Friday, temperatures are likely to be above normal for most parts, and across the southeast in particular, it could be very warm or hot at times.
Temperatures to Reach Heatwave Territory
Temperatures are likely to hit the high 20s from Thursday June 18, which could take parts of the UK into heatwave territory. Forecaster Alex Burkill added: “By the end of next week, models are hinting that we could get temperatures, particularly across central eastern parts, of around 27°C, 28°C, so we could be looking at them getting to that heatwave threshold.”
He continued: “We wouldn't be looking at it actually being a heatwave by this point because maybe Thursday might be the first hot day in parts of the east, southeast before then temperatures continue to rise through the weekend. But this could be around when we could see temperatures starting to get above that heatwave threshold.”
In the UK, a heatwave is officially declared by the Met Office when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days where the daily maximum temperature meets or exceeds a specific, locally adjusted threshold. In the east and south east of the UK, this threshold is 27°C, and 28°C for London.
Long Range Weather Forecast
The Met Office long range forecast also shows that high temperatures are set to remain the norm across the UK for the last two weeks of June and into July. The forecast for Wednesday June 17 to Friday June 26 indicates above-normal temperatures for most parts, with the southeast in particular expected to be very warm or hot at times. The outlook for Saturday June 27 to Saturday July 11 suggests temperatures are likely to be above normal, with the potential for hot conditions to develop, especially in the south.
Counties in England Facing a Potential June Heatwave
The following 16 counties in England are expected to be affected by the potential heatwave:
- East of England: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk
- South East of England: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, West Sussex, London
