UK weather forecasting models indicate a sharp temperature drop may follow the scorching Bank Holiday weekend heatwave, with temperatures potentially falling as low as 0C in parts of Scotland.
Record-Breaking Heat Expected
The Met Office has forecast that temperatures could reach a staggering 35C on Monday and Tuesday, making this the hottest day of the year so far and potentially the hottest May day on record. The current May record stands at 32.8C.
Sunday is expected to break the previous daily record, with Monday and Tuesday set to surpass it again. Temperatures are forecast to peak at 30C in southern areas on Wednesday and 28C on Thursday.
Sudden Cold Snap Ahead
However, weather models now suggest a rapid return to colder conditions. The ECMWF model indicates that temperatures on June 3 may struggle to exceed 10C across much of the UK, with morning lows potentially dropping to 0C in Scotland.
At 6am on June 3, only eastern, central, and southern England, along with South Wales, may see double-digit temperatures. Temperature anomaly maps for early June show deep blue areas across the UK, indicating temperatures well below the seasonal average.
Week-Long Heatwave
Temperatures rose above 28C on Friday and are expected to remain above that threshold until at least Thursday, potentially marking a week-long heatwave. An official heatwave is declared when temperatures exceed the local threshold for three consecutive days, which varies between 25C and 28C across UK counties.
The Met Office forecast for Monday states: "Cloudy in northwest Scotland with rain at times, otherwise most places seeing lots of sunshine. It remains hot, especially in the south but cooler along the coasts." For Tuesday to Thursday, the forecast adds: "Staying hot, sunny and mostly dry over the next few days with temperatures well above average. A little more patchy cloud on Thursday, perhaps with the odd shower."
While the immediate outlook is for intense heat, the long-range forecast suggests a dramatic shift to chilly conditions, highlighting the volatile nature of UK spring weather.
