The Met Office has indicated that the current exceptional spell of hot and humid weather across the UK will continue for a little longer, but temperatures are expected to drop by the weekend. Thursday marked the UK's hottest day on record, with provisional figures showing a temperature of 36.4°C in Yeovilton, Somerset, surpassing the June record of 36.1°C set on Wednesday in Gosport, Hampshire.
Weather Alerts and Warnings
In response to the soaring temperatures, the Met Office has issued a series of weather alerts, including a rare red 'danger to life' warning across southern parts of England, Wales, and the Midlands. An amber 'extreme heat' alert has also been issued across large parts of England and Wales, including Greater Manchester, stating that hot and humid weather is expected to continue through the middle of the week, with exceptionally warm temperatures both day and night.
Forecast Details
Andy Page, Met Office Chief Meteorologist, said: "This exceptional spell of hot and humid weather will maintain its grip on the UK for a little longer. Although the current red warning for areas in more central and western parts of England and Wales will expire later today, the heatwave will still be bringing high temperatures to these areas, albeit moving away from the peak heat of Wednesday and Thursday. We are expecting that some daytime maximum temperatures could exceed 36°C, perhaps rising to 37°C in some locations."
Temperature Drop Expected
Despite the ongoing heat, forecasters predict that temperatures will begin to drop by the weekend. By Saturday, June 27, peak UK temperatures are expected to fall to around 32°C. Into next week, the Met Office forecasts temperatures to drop closer to the average for the time of year, with a mixture of wind and rain, particularly in the northwest.
Regional Impact
In Greater Manchester, temperatures are set to reach highs of 34°C on Friday, then fall to 27°C on Saturday. Sunday will see a pleasant 21°C, with temperatures remaining around the early 20s throughout the following week.
