End to heatwave in sight as Britain returns to unsettled normality
Much the same sentiment could be said about the current heatwave as much of the country wilts in scorching sunshine, temperatures reaching over 30C in places. The heat will likely peak on Saturday, daytime temperatures possibly reaching 33C or more in eastern and central areas, followed by an uncomfortably hot night in many places.
That heat comes from hot air drawn up from Spain and even as far as north Africa. There is also high pressure sat over the UK driving up temperatures and with the summer solstice on Saturday, the heat will grow even more intense under the long hours of powerful sunshine.
But if this heatwave feels unbearable, there is relief on the horizon. The high pressure that has dominated much of the UK's weather for several days is slowly being pushed away into Europe and cooler air will edge in from the Atlantic, beginning with western areas this weekend. That Atlantic influence will bring fresher air gradually pushing across the country and by next week the very high temperatures will ease off. There will also be the chance of outbreaks of rain towards the north and west, the northwest being especially wet. Gardeners in the south and east praying for rain may be disappointed, as it will generally remain drier and at times warm.
Next week the weather will be a bit of a rollercoaster ride, temperatures chopping and changing along with some rain and even heavy downpours in places. That pattern could set a trend through the rest of this month and into the first half of July. But further heatwaves cannot be ruled out, as bursts of hotter air are likely to encroach from Europe, which remains scorching hot in many places. That sums up the story of many British summers, as we sit at the crossroads of mild and wet Atlantic breezes and stifling heat over much of western Europe.
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