The Met Office has announced that a warmer spell of weather is approaching the UK next week, with temperatures potentially soaring to 30C. High pressure building across the country will bring warm and humid conditions, pushing temperatures above the seasonal average and possibly reaching the high-20s or 30C by Friday, June 19.
This forecast suggests that parts of the UK could be warmer than Los Angeles by the end of next week. On Saturday, Kent recorded highs of 22.4C, while London's Kew Gardens reached 21.3C.
Weekend Weather Outlook
Sunday is expected to be fine and dry for most of the UK, with only a few showers across Scotland. The highest temperatures are forecast in south-west England, where highs of 26C and an isolated 27C are possible. Greater Manchester is set to reach highs of 20C with a mixture of sunshine and clouds. Wales should enjoy temperatures around 23C, while Scotland will become warmer after a showery Saturday, with highs of around 20C.
Midweek Heat Surge
Forecasters have indicated that there may be some thunderstorms in parts of the country on Monday, although temperatures should remain in the low 20s before cloud and rain spreads from the west on Tuesday. However, the heat will increase from the middle of the week as warmer air from Europe moves into the UK.
On Wednesday, temperatures in south-east England could reach around 27C, with another surge of warmth expected on Thursday and Friday and into next weekend. While cloud cover could affect the highest temperatures, forecasters say there is a chance of 30C being recorded by the end of the week.
Forecaster Comments
Met Office forecaster Kathryn Chalk said: "We're definitely seeing a warming trend from midweek onwards." She added: "Relatively warm and humid nights are also on the cards - not as expected as what we had a few weeks ago, because it won't be wall-to-wall sunshine like that, we had a stronger signal for that compared to this, but nevertheless it is going to be turning warmer."
Pollen Alerts
It comes as five UK areas have been hit with red 'very high' Met Office warnings over the next five days, including Greater Manchester. Pollen levels are set to build over the coming days, with one red 'very high' alert in force on Saturday, June 13, in London and south east England. On Sunday, June 14, there are three red alerts in London and south east England, Wales, and south west England. On Monday, June 15, north west England and West Midlands are also included in the highest alert.
Long-Range Forecast
In the Met Office's long-range forecast for the UK, which covers the period between June 18 and 27, forecasters have warned of cloudy, rainy, and breezy conditions. The forecast reads: "The first few days of this period are likely to see something of a northwest-southeast split in the weather across the UK. Areas towards the north and west are most likely to often be cloudier, with spells of rain, some of which could be heavy and accompanied by breezy conditions. Further southeast, a greater chance of drier conditions, although given the potential for high temperatures and high humidity, there is the possibility of some thunderstorms breaking out as well."
The forecast continues: "Towards late June, there is a signal for more widely settled conditions to develop with high pressure more likely to dominate, with temperatures probably remaining above average for most."
