Exact date Spanish scorcher sends UK mercury soaring to 31C as maps turn red
Temperatures could reach as high as 31C soon thanks to a 'Spanish scorcher' sending hot air barrelling towards the UK - while the Met Office has talked up the chances of a 'hotter than usual' summer
Britain is set to be hit by a 400 mile-wide 'Spanish scorcher' as temperatures finally top 30C. After the record spring sizzle, summer is beginning with drizzle and a cooldown this week, with disappointing 16-20C highs over the next few days and soggy spells. But hot air blowing from melting Spain - which has ushered in 40C early summer temperatures across the Iberian peninsula - is due to blow to Britain after the weekend, according to weather maps. BBC Weather has predicted that the mercury will nudge 27C by next Wednesday and other weather forecasters have said 31C will follow, beating the 29.3C hottest day of the year recorded on May 1.
Forecasters said the heat could last for weeks, with the Met Office yesterday predicting that this summer is twice as likely to be hotter than normal.
It comes as spring is set to be confirmed as one of the hottest, sunniest and driest ever recorded.The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: 'Summer is starting, so bring on the rain. 'But temperatures are forecast to rise in the second week of June, with computer models showing Spain's exceptional heat making a beeline for the UK. 'The likelihood is growing of temperatures around 30C or just above in mid-June, as hot air from the continent pushes towards Britain.' BBC Weather said: 'After changeable conditions, there's a possible warmer spell next week. And further into June should be mostly settled and warm, with largely summery and dry conditions." A Met Office forecaster said: 'It will feel cooler, with widespread heavy rain on Tuesday and spells of showers from Wednesday onwards, perhaps with strong winds. "But high pressure will probably become more dominant over the weekend and towards mid-June. There's the chance of a few hot days. "From June 14 to 28 has a mixture of Atlantic weather systems and sunny periods, and perhaps hot spells."
In the meantime, Monday is set to start bright and sunny in most areas but will turn cloudier throughout the day, with heavy rain in Northern Ireland and parts of western Scotland.
Temperatures will reach a daytime maximum of 22C in London, 19C in Manchester, 18C in Belfast and Cardiff, and 17C in Edinburgh.
UK weather forecast
Monday:
Initially dry and sunny with light winds, but turning increasingly cloudy from the west. Heavy rain spreads across Northern Ireland and into western Scotland through the evening. Windy here too.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:
Heavy rain clears eastwards early on Tuesday morning, leaving a legacy of blustery showers across the country. Further outbreaks of rain on Wednesday and Thursday, but some brighter spells too.
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