A blast of heat from the weekend for some, but stay safe in the water
The UK’s weather represents a forecast of two halves, with parts of the south and east reaching heatwave thresholds, while the north and west will experience temperatures closer to average and more unsettled conditions.
Temperatures are expected to reach the high 20s Celsius quite widely, with the potential for 32°C to be reached in the south of England on Sunday and potentially 34°C or higher on Monday. Conditions will remain noticeably humid.
Alongside the warmth, there will also be spells of rain, some of which will be heavy across northern and western areas. There is a chance of thunderstorms across central and southern England. Across southern parts of the UK there will be a mix of cloud and brighter spells.
A series of Heat Health Alerts - which are in place until 8pm on 23 June - have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). An Amber Heat Health Alert has been has been issued a swathe of southern and eastern England, while a Yellow Heat Health Alert has been issued for the Midlands. These alerts mean temperatures could lead to impacts on the health and wellbeing of some people.
Steve Ramsdale is a Met Office Chief Forecaster. Steve said: “From the end of the week, a marked north–south split develops. High pressure over mainland Europe will allow increasingly warm and humid air to build across southern and eastern areas, while lower pressure close to the northwest keeps conditions more changeable.”
Further ahead
Further ahead, temperatures are expected to climb steadily, with southern parts of England approaching 30°C by Friday, depending on cloud cover, and becoming very warm more widely through the weekend.
Deputy Chief Forecaster, Gregory Wolverson, said: “Some areas in the south and southeast of England are likely to see heatwave criteria met over the weekend, with the potential for temperatures to reach the low 30s in the warmest locations.
“Headline maximum temperatures for the period are: 32°C on Friday in East Anglia, 28°C on Saturday as the warmest air temporarily shifts away from the UK, 32°C in the south and southeast of England on Sunday and the potential for 34°C in the same areas on Monday as warm conditions build again from the south. There is a slight chance that hot conditions may persist deeper into next week, but confidence in this aspect is rather low at this stage. There is currently a 40% chance of exceeding the current UK June maximum temperature record of 35.6°C, set in 1957 and 1976. There is also a lower chance of exceeding the June maximum temperature record for Wales.
“It’s important to note that while temperatures may be high, we might not all see the wall-to-wall sunshine and blue skies we experienced back in late May because there may be more cloud around. Couple this with fairly high humidity, and it may feel rather oppressive at times. There is also a chance of thunderstorms developing in places, which could bring heavy downpours and localised impacts.”
Looking more broadly, much of central and western Europe is also experiencing notable heat, with temperatures well above average in places. This is helping to feed warmer air towards the UK as conditions develop towards the weekend.
READ: Deep Dive: European heat builds while the UK sits on the boundary
Defining a heatwave in the UK
In the UK, a heatwave is officially defined as a location recording at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold. This threshold varies by county, reflecting the diverse climate across the UK.
Staying safe in cold water
People heading to the coast should be mindful that sea-surface temperatures are not as high as they would be in mid-summer.
Samantha Hughes is the National Water Safety Partner at the RNLI. She said: “With warmer weather approaching, it’s important to remember that the water is still cold. Entering it unexpectedly can lead to cold water shock, causing a sudden increase in breathing and heart rate, which may trigger panic.
“If you find yourself struggling in the water, remember to Float to Live: tilt your head back so your ears are submerged, relax and control your breathing. You may need to gently use your hands to help you stay afloat, and it’s ok if your legs sink—everyone floats differently.
“Where possible, always choose a lifeguarded beach, and swim between the red and yellow flags. In a coastal emergency remember to call 999 for the coastguard.”
You can find water safety advice on our website and in the refreshed Met Office app, now featuring a dedicated beach forecast with tide times, wave heights and sea-surface temperatures, as well as guidance on UV and pollen levels.
You can find the latest forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.
