The May heatwave provided a brief taste of summer, but what can we expect next? After a break in the scorching weather, the UK could be set for another heatwave this month as summer officially begins. Weather maps are showing red as temperatures look set to climb above 30°C.
Temperature Forecast for the North East
Following a chilly and rainy start to June, temperatures are expected to rise next week. According to forecasts reported in the Mirror, UK temperatures could reach as high as 27°C on Thursday, June 18, and may further increase to 32°C on Monday, June 22, and Tuesday, June 23. However, the Met Office has noted that these temperatures will still be far from the record-breaking 35°C experienced during the May heatwave. The warmer weather is likely to be concentrated in the southern part of the UK, while the North East is expected to see temperatures topping 23°C at the back end of next week.
Met Office Meteorologist's Comments
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 levels 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."
Extended Forecast
Temperatures are expected to begin rising by the end of the weekend. Next week, on Thursday, June 18, temperatures could reach as high as 29°C, and on Tuesday, June 22, they may rise to 32°C, according to forecasts from Netweather. Meteorologists predict that high pressure will build over the east and southeast of England.
The Met Office's long-range forecast, spanning 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."
Outlook for July
Looking further out towards the start of July, the Met Office estimates that "high pressure is expected to lie close to the UK at the start of this period, bringing settled and mainly dry conditions. Temperatures will likely be above normal, with potential for hot conditions to develop, especially in the south. Into July, weakening of the high pressure may bring an increasing chance of more unsettled weather and thunderstorms, especially in the south."
