Weather headlines have plenty to talk about this week with a heatwave for some parts of the UK, so how are they reflecting the outlook?
Some parts of the UK are currently in the midst of a June heatwave, with a change likely as we head through the weekend, and the risk of some thunderstorms for some, which has resulted in a Met Office weather warning.
Here, we look at how some online headlines are reflecting the ongoing weather forecast.
Who will actually see a heatwave?
“UK may see record for this year’s hottest day broken,” is the first headline.
What our forecast says: 19 June saw the UK have its hottest day of the year so far, with 32.2°C reported from the Met Office observation network. This figure is likely to be exceeded again, with 33-34°C possible in isolated spots on Saturday. While this is a fairly unusual warm spell for June, figures like this have been reported previously in the month, with the 35.6°C figure reached in June 1976 and 1957 being the record highest temperature reported in the month in the UK. Find out more about how climate change is influencing temperatures experienced in the UK in June.
Observing the hottest day of the year so far during early summer is a relatively common occurrence.
“UK weather maps turn deep purple as 300-mile 30°C plume forecast today,” is the next headline focused on the heat, opting for the geographical range of the warmth.
What our forecast says: Temperatures in excess of 30°C are possible for a fairly wide area of central and southeastern areas of the UK on Saturday, though there will be regional differences in how people will feel between built-up areas and more rural locations. Describing the size of the plume of warm air isn’t often a particularly useful way of communicating the forecast.
“Britain to reach boiling point as double-burner nationwide heatwave peaks this weekend,” says a more energetic headline.
What our forecast says: It will be warm and sunny for many over the next couple of days, but it won’t be a ‘nationwide heatwave’ as the headline states. Many places in central and southern parts of the UK may have an official heatwave (and some already have), which requires temperatures to breach specific thresholds for three consecutive days. However, it’s unlikely those away from the higher temperatures will actually have an official heatwave before more unsettled weather moves in later on Saturday and into Sunday.
For additional clarity, the ‘boiling point’ of water is 100°C, and the UK won’t be seeing those figures!
Find out more about how heatwaves are classified in the UK.
When is the rain coming?
“UK weather maps turn red with 'half a month's rain' set to end heatwave,” says one headline, focusing on the upcoming shift in the UK’s weather pattern over the weekend.
What our forecast says: The UK’s weather will gradually transition to a more mobile pattern late on Saturday and into Sunday, with temperatures returning to closer to average as an Atlantic air mass arrives. While some will see some rain as part of this transition, the amounts expected for many is fairly routine during a UK summer. The thunderstorm warning for northern parts of England and Wales highlights is where heavier bursts of rain are most likely to be, with in excess of 30mm possible in a relatively short period.
The long-term average amount of rainfall in the UK in June is 77.2mm of rain. So it might take a bit of creative rounding, as well as a fairly singular focus on specific locations, to be ‘half a month’s rain’, as the headline suggests.
“UK and Ireland weather maps turn orange as giant 358-mile Atlantic storm sweeps in,” says another headline.
What our forecast says: There’s nothing resembling an active ‘Atlantic storm’ directly impacting the UK in the next few days. Low pressure far to the north west of the UK is responsible for some associated fronts of rain late on Saturday, into Sunday and the start of next week. We are likely to see a more changeable regime through much of next week with sunny spells interspersed with periods of rain at times.
Find out more from the Met Office on how to make sure you’re getting the weather information you need online.