The Met Office has confirmed that parts of the UK could be hotter than Spain this week, with temperatures potentially reaching 30 degrees Celsius in some regions. This follows a largely unsettled start to the month after May's record-breaking heatwave, which saw temperatures exceed 30 degrees and made it the hottest May on record.
Forecast Details
Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick stated that high pressure building across the country will bring warm and humid conditions, with temperatures climbing above the seasonal average. The south and southeast of England are expected to see temperatures rise to 28°C or higher by Thursday, with London and the south reaching highs of 28 to 29 degrees on Thursday and Friday.
This is hotter than Barcelona, Spain, which is forecast to reach 27°C on Thursday and 28°C on Friday. The Met Office outlook for London and the southeast says: "Mostly fine with some sunshine. Turning very warm or locally hot, and feeling humid towards the weekend. Staying mainly dry, but with a small chance of thunderstorms."
Regional Variations
In the northwest, warmer weather is possible but a heatwave is unlikely. Thursday is set to be a "dry, bright and warm day," with some rain moving in ahead of the weekend. For Friday to Sunday, the forecaster added: "Further rain possible on Friday, especially in the north. Becoming drier and brighter this weekend, though still a few showers at first. Warm on Saturday and perhaps hot by Sunday."
The Met Office shared its verdict: "Temperatures are expected to rise through the week, with parts of England potentially reaching the high twenties by Thursday and possibly approaching 30°C in the southeast on Friday, depending on cloud cover and other variables. Alongside the warmth, there will also be spells of rain, particularly across northern and western areas, and an increasing chance of thunderstorms later in the week."
Health Alert
A yellow heat alert has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office for the East Midlands, East of England, London, and the southeast. The alert comes into force at 3pm on Wednesday and remains until 8pm on Monday.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree explained: "This week's contrasting weather of both heat, rain, and potential thunderstorms is a result of a low pressure system influencing the UK from the northwest. The southerly flow stalls a front over the west of the UK whilst allowing temperatures to build in the southeast. Friday is set to be the warmest day of the week, but it's important to note that peak temperatures could be impacted by cloud cover. Temperatures are likely to range from 26 to 28°C, with the potential to approach 30°C in parts of southeast England. Elsewhere temperatures will remain closer to average but could be warm at times in parts of Wales and the west Midlands."
