The Met Office has issued a verdict on the possibility of a June heatwave, as temperatures are forecast to soar above 30C across several counties later in the month. Britain is bracing for another blast of blistering heat, with weather maps glowing red and temperatures set to climb above 30C.
Temperature Forecast
After a cold and rainy start to June, temperatures are expected to rise from next week. Forecasts show temperatures reaching up to 27C on Thursday, June 18, before increasing further to 32C on Monday, June 22, and Tuesday, June 23. However, the Met Office has stated that this increase will still not approach the May heatwave, when Brits baked in record-breaking 35C heat.
Met Office Verdict
Looking ahead to the weekend, Met Office Meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said: "It's worth noting at this point, although it is going to be a warm weekend, we're not expecting temperatures anywhere close to the May heatwave temperatures, but they certainly will be above average and higher than they have been recently." She added that UV and pollen levels will also be high as temperatures rise. "So, this isn't defined as a heatwave, but temperatures will be above average for this point in June for a vast majority of the UK."
Counties Affected
Temperatures in southeast England will reach the high 20s next week, with maps from forecaster Netweather showing highs of 29C on Thursday, June 18, and up to 32C on Tuesday, June 22. Meteorologists predict that high pressure will develop across the east and southeast of England.
The Met Office's long-range forecast from June 16 to June 25 states: "A changeable period is likely through the middle of next week with outbreaks of rain focused across the north and northwest, some of which could spread to parts of the south and southeast at times. Some strong winds could accompany this, although with temperatures generally above normal. Into the following weekend, high pressure will probably become more dominant with conditions turning more widely dry and settled, and probably very warm for many, especially in the south."
The eight counties set to see temperatures above 30C in June are:
- London
- Sussex
- Hertfordshire
- Essex
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
- Kent
- Cambridgeshire
