The Met Office has provided its verdict on the possibility of another heatwave as temperatures are forecast to exceed 30°C across several counties later in June. According to forecasters, Britons could soon enjoy another spell of sunny weather, with temperatures set to top 30°C in just a few days.
The current unsettled period, which has seen the UK battered by thunderstorms, hail, and showers, is expected to come to an end on Friday. After the weekend, temperatures are set to rise from next week. Weather maps indicate that temperatures could reach up to 27°C on Thursday, June 18, before climbing further to 32°C on Monday, June 22, and Tuesday, June 23.
Met Office Clarifies Heatwave Status
However, the Met Office has stated that this increase will not be comparable to the May heatwave, when Britons experienced record-breaking temperatures of 35°C. Meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth explained: "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," she said.
Temperature Forecast Details
Temperatures are expected to begin climbing from the end of the weekend. According to maps from forecaster Netweather, they could reach as high as 29°C on Thursday, June 18, before hitting up to 32°C on Tuesday, June 22. The Met Office indicated that the South and South East are likely to be the warmest regions.
The Met Office's long-range forecast, covering 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."
Counties Set to See Temperatures Above 30°C
The seven counties expected to experience temperatures above 30°C in June are:
- London
- Sussex
- Hertfordshire
- Essex
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
- Essex
