Wales is set for a hot summer as temperatures remain widely above average throughout July, following four days of amber and red extreme heat warnings. A brief respite is expected with thunderstorms hitting parts of the country on Friday, but temperatures will only drop slightly to a maximum of 32°C.
Thunderstorm Warning Issued
A yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued for most of Wales from 6pm on Thursday until 10am on Friday, June 26, covering 20 locations. The Met Office forecast for this weekend in Wales states: "Friday: Although temperatures falling, staying very warm with humidity levels remaining high. Clear skies in the north but low cloud moving into the southwest. Maximum temperature 32 °C."
Weekend Outlook
The outlook for Saturday to Monday indicates: "Staying hot into the weekend, but temperatures slowly coming down by Sunday. Dry for many but some spots of rain and showers developing into the new week." Heading into July, there is expected to be periods of rain and showers with outbreaks of thunder, but a drier start for many.
Long-Range Forecast
For the first week of July, temperatures across the UK will remain "widely above average, and there remains a chance of some very warm or hot weather returning, mainly across the south." Throughout the month until Thursday, July 23, settled and drier conditions are more likely than normal for this time of year.
The Met Office long-range forecast for the UK also states that from Thursday, July 9, until July 23: "There is still a chance of some changeable or more unsettled conditions developing later in the period, with a risk of some heavy and thundery showers. Temperatures are likely to be above normal, with a greater than normal chance of hot conditions developing at times."
