Forecasters predict heatwave temperatures this week, indicating that Britain’s climate has finally gotten the message that summer has arrived.
Following a windy weekend for many, a plume of hot air moving steadily north from sun-drenched Spain is set to swelter parts of the UK by Friday, with maximum temperatures reaching 95F (35C)
The UK would be hotter than Portugal, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Hawaii, the Canary Islands, and Cyprus, with the highest temperature recorded so far this year – 27.5C (81.5F) at London Heathrow Airport on May 17 – and would be hotter than Portugal, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Hawaii, the Canary Islands, and Cyprus.
If temperatures reach 35.6C (96.1F), which was recorded in London on June 29, 1957, and Southampton on June 28, 1976, it will be the hottest June day in Britain since records began.
While it will not be beach weather everywhere, with the hottest days in southern England, temperatures in the Midlands and parts of the North should reach the mid-20s (high-70Fs).
Prior to that, the majority of England and Wales can expect a week of dry, bright weather, with temperatures reaching 27°C (81°F) by Wednesday.
‘We haven’t had much really warm weather so far this year, so this will be our first proper taste of summer,’ said Met Office forecaster Steven Keates.
‘However, it is likely to be short-lived, with most places becoming cooler on Saturday, with the exception of South East England, where the warmth may persist for another day.’ People should also be aware that pollen and UV levels will be extremely high.’
Maximum temperatures of 32°C (90°F) are expected in London on Friday, with temperatures reaching 30°C in areas ranging from the Home Counties to Dorset (86F).
However, while some of its models predict temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), the hot spell may not be officially classified as a heatwave because the extremely high temperatures are not expected to last the required three days.
On Friday, Mr Keates predicted temperatures in the mid-30s (mid-90s), adding, ‘There hasn’t been much in the way of exceptionally warm days or hot days yet this year, but that is set to change.’
Speaking about the current 2022 record set at Heathrow on May 17, he said: ‘We should beat that comfortably on Friday and potentially exceed it, or get very close to it, on Wednesday and Thursday as well.
Heatwaves, defined as three days of high temperatures in a row, could occur between June and mid-September, according to the meteorologist.
‘We think at the moment it will be warmer than average with an increasing likelihood of heatwaves,’ he said. ‘There have been no heatwaves so far this year… the greater likelihood is that it’s going to be the further south, south east, you are.’
The hot air will be flowing north from Spain, parts of which are enduring the first heatwave of the year, with temperatures there forecast to reach 43C (109F) in some areas.
That in turn is caused by a mass of hot air sweeping in from North Africa. The temperature in Madrid could hit 38C (100F) by midweek, well above average for mid-June.
It comes after the remains of tropical Storm Alex passed by the British Isles, bringing with it unseasonably high winds, gusting at up to 55mph.