The UK is set for a brief but intense hot spell this weekend, with temperatures potentially reaching 33C in parts of England and Wales. However, the Met Office warns that severe thunderstorms and heavy rain may follow, ending the warmth by Tuesday.
Warm air from Europe will push temperatures into the high 20s and low 30s in England and Wales, while Scotland and Northern Ireland will see high teens to low 20s. The heat is partly driven by Storm Debby, which shifted the jet stream south after battering the southern US.
Friday starts wet and cloudy in southern and eastern England, but drier, sunnier weather spreads later. Saturday brings cloudy, humid conditions with brighter spells and light showers in the north, clearing to temperatures in the 20s across England and Wales by evening.
Sunday and Monday are the warmest days, with highs of 33C in London, 26C in Manchester, 22C in Glasgow, and 21C in Belfast. However, central and northern areas may see heavy rain and thunderstorms. Pollen counts and UV levels will be high, so the Met Office advises covering up and using sunscreen.
Met Office spokesperson Nicky Maxey said: “The hot spell is short-lived but quite intense … Temperatures are due to peak on Monday and rapidly return to average on Tuesday and Wednesday.” This is not classified as a heatwave, as temperatures must exceed a threshold for three consecutive days.
