
Britain set to sizzle in glorious summer – with sunny days more than twice as likely than usual
BRITAIN is set to bake during a glorious summer of sun, with soaring temperatures and heatwaves more than twice as likely than in an average year.
The Met Office had been reluctant to predict too far ahead after it infamously declared a 'barbecue summer' in 2009.
2
Britain is set for a summer of sunshine with soaring temperatures
Credit: Alamy
Forecasters were left red-faced after July that year was one of the wettest on record with non-stop downpours.
However, in its latest long-range forecast, released yesterday to mark the first day of summer, the Met Office revealed an increased chance of heatwaves.
It said the chance of a hot summer is 2.3 times more likely than normal.
It is also likely to increase the risk of drought conditions and hosepipe bans.
read more on weather
But a spokesman warned: 'The increased chance of hotter than average temperatures is not a guarantee of prolonged
"It does, however, mean that heatwave conditions could be reached at times.
'It's important to bear in mind that an increased chance of hot conditions could also reflect a mix of hot and cool days, warm nights, or less extreme levels of warmth rather than continual heatwave conditions specifically.'
It comes after the
Most read in The Sun
And in a further boost, weekend temperatures were 8C above the average for this time of year.
The average temperatures across the UK during the summer months range from 10C (50F) to 17C (62.5F).
Scotland Set for Glorious 20C Sunshine After Weekend Rain
The South East traditionally experiences higher averages of 16C (61F) to 17C.
But the next three months are unlikely to topple 2022 as the hottest summer to date — when temperatures hit a UK record 40.3C (104.5F).
2
The Met Office said the chance of a hot summer is 2.3 times more likely than normal
Credit: Getty
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme -
Sun Club.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
Smoke from Canada's wildfires is affecting how the sun looks over Ireland
DENSE SMOKE BILLOWING from dozens of deadly wildfires across Canada is having an impact on the atmosphere as far as Ireland, according to weather experts. The EU's Copernicus Atmosphere Montoring Service (CAMS) warned this week that several wildfires have been active in the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario since May, resulting in the reported development of 'pyrocumulonimbus clouds' (pyroCb). The Canadian wildfires have been devastating, with several measuring between 100,000 and 300,000 hectares apiece, causing evacuations and the destruction of forests and homes. Wildfires in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo While wildfires in Saskatchewan typically begin to flare up in April and May, the situation in the province this year was exacerbated by moderate drought and strong winds in mid-May, CAMS warned. A similar situation was observed on the border between the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba, with wildfire conditions driven by hot, dry, and windy conditions in the area. More smoky skies are expected as this week begins, with some of the more gigantic blazes delivering thick smoke that is spreading eastward towards Europe. A smoke map, showing that many of the wildfire plumes are heading eastward. ArcGIS ArcGIS Smoke first traveled across the Mediterranean on 18 May, with sightings reported in Greece and areas around the eastern Mediterranean. A second, more extensive plume crossed the Atlantic during the final week of May, reaching parts of northwestern Europe – including Ireland – on Sunday. Further smoke plumes are anticipated to arrive in Europe in the coming days. As a result, in recent days, the sun has appeared to display extra vibrant colours in Ireland, making for breathtaking sunsets across Ireland. Why is that? Advertisement Brighter sun It's a scientifically jargon-y answer that has to do with how sunlight interacts with the atmosphere – when there's smoke in the air, tiny particles scatter sunlight. Around 6am and the sun is an incredible red which my phone camera can't really show. It could be swirls of sands from Africa or something that @CarlowWeather might know why. Red sky in morning, shepherds take warning. — Zwartbles Ireland • Suzanna Crampton (@ZwartblesIE) May 31, 2025 As explained by science reporter Kenneth Chang , blue and green wavelengths scatter more easily and get redirected away from your eyes, while red and orange wavelengths pass through more directly. The thicker the smoke, the more blue light gets scattered or blocked – leaving the sun looking red or orange, especially near the horison. The higher-energy colours with shorter wavelengths – that is, blue light – scatter more readily, and as a result, the entire sky is suffused in blue. Wildfire smoke back over us again this morning as this is the view of the sun rising in the sky. The main band of rain has cleared with sunny spells but also scattered showers. — Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) June 3, 2025 Smoke particles also scatter light, and because they are larger than air molecules, they also scatter the orange and red colours. That results in far more red and orange in the sky than we are used to seeing during the daytime, imparting a surreal hue. 'Up to the beginning of June, our data is showing that central regions of Canada have experienced a very intense few weeks in terms of wildfire emissions,' CAMS Senior Scientist Mark Parrington said. 'This data, and the fact that we are able to observe the smoke in Europe, is a reflection of the scale of the fires and impacts they have been having.' PyroCb clouds, the clouds formed by the Canadian wildfires, typically form when a fire burns with exceptional heat and intensity, generating enough thermal energy to push smoke, ash and moisture high into the atmosphere from where powerful jet streams can transport the smoke over long distances. PyroCb smoke clouds are denser than regular clouds, CAMS says – meaning more light is scattered. Parrington said that the long-range transport of smoke caused by the fires 'is not unusual', but he added :'it is a clear reflection of the intensity of the fires that such high values of aerosol optical depth and other pollutants associated with the plume are so high as it reaches this side of the Atlantic'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal


RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Smoke from Canadian wildfires reaches Europe, EU says
Heavy smoke from intense wildfires in Canada has reached northwestern Europe, the European Union's climate monitoring service said today. The huge plumes are at very high altitude and do not pose an immediate health risk, it said in a statement. "Smoke originating from the wildfires in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan has been transported across the Atlantic," the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) said. Satellites tracked the smoke in mid-May, with some plumes reaching as far east as Greece and the eastern Mediterranean. "A second, much larger, smoke plume crossed the Atlantic during the last week of May, reaching northwestern parts of Europe on 1 June," CAMS said. Additional plumes are expected to shade the continent in the coming days. Wildfire smoke is comprised of gaseous pollutants such as carbon monoxide, along with water vapor and particle pollution, which can be particularly hazardous to health. A high concentration of carbon monoxide is expected to pass over northwestern France, including the Paris Basin, on Tuesday. The high-altitude smoke headed for Europe is not expected to have a significant impact on surface air quality, but is likely to result in hazy skies and reddish-orange sunsets. Manitoba in central Canada is experiencing its worst start to the fire season in years due to drought, and Saskatchewan to the west declared a state of emergency at the end of May, evacuating thousands of residents. "Central regions of Canada have experienced a very intense few weeks in terms of wildfire emissions," said Mark Parrington, scientific director at CAMS. Canadian authorities have forecast a more intense fire season than usual this summer in central and western Canada, due in particular to severe or extreme drought. Elsewhere, extensive forest fires have been raging in Russia's Far Eastern Federal District since early April, particularly east of Lake Baikal, generating carbon emissions of around 35 million tons, Copernicus reported.


The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
First hosepipe ban of the year imposed on tiny village where water levels are critically low
BRITAIN'S first hosepipe ban of the year has been imposed on a tiny village where water levels have become critically low. Youlgreave in Advertisement 2 Youlgreave in Derbyshire has had its own water supply from a natural spring since 1829 Credit: Alamy 2 Britain's first hosepipe ban of the year has been imposed on the tiny village where water levels have become critically low Credit: Getty But after a two-month dry spell, 500 homes in the area are now subject to tough restrictions. Under the ban, residents are not allowed to water their gardens and must use a shower instead of a bath. They have also been urged to lay off the taps at peak times in a bid to preserve stocks. Officials said the ban is likely to last all Advertisement Read More on UK News Villager Chrissie Baker, 83, said: 'I'm delighted we have a hosepipe ban, to stop those idiots who spray their lawn the minute a bit of brown appears. 'All the grass grows back two days after the rain. It's stupid and very selfish.' Max Hunt, 72, said: 'I think it's necessary. It's been a particularly dry spring, so that causes its problems. I think most people will be able to cope with it.' Parish councillor Andrew McCloy said the ban is 'the earliest yet'. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Breaking Exclusive He said of the water supply: 'It's usually fairly consistent throughout the year. 'But when it gets really low, it's drawn from a nearby redundant mine. Even that is starting to dry out, which is why we're being really careful these days.' The hot weather has parched the land and drained reservoirs across the country as UK hit with hosepipe bans Major providers have said they may have to follow suit with a long, The Advertisement UK water drowning in failure By Martina Bet THE nation's water system is riddled with failures and needs a total reset, a review warns. It slams the crumbling infrastructure after years of neglect. The report comes as Thames Water's £4billion rescue deal collapsed and South West Water owner Pennon posted huge losses. The Independent Water Commission review is the biggest since privatisation amid fury over pollution, bills and fat-cat bonuses. But former Bank of England deputy Sir Jon Cunliffe, who led it, said that regulators lacked the power to step in. Nationalisation was ruled out, but the interim findings call for stronger laws, tougher oversight and long-term investment. Industry body Water UK admitted: 'Everyone agrees that the water industry is not working.'