UK weather: Met Office issues heatwave warning as temperatures set to surge to 30C within days
Thresholds for heatwaves vary across the UK
SOAK IT UP UK weather: Met Office issues heatwave warning as temperatures set to surge to 30C within days
BRITS have been issued a heatwave warning by the Met Office with temperatures set to surge to 30C within days.
The mercury is set to rise sharply as glorious sunny weather hits this weekend with some places predicted to be hotter than parts of southern Europe.
4
Visitors enjoy a sunny day on Brighton Beach on Sunday
Credit: Alamy
4
People sitting on deckchairs during warm weather and sunshine at Victoria Embankment Gardens in London yesterday
Credit: EPA
4
Lyme Regis was full of Brits soaking up the sun on the weekend
Credit: Alamy
Forecasters are expecting temperatures to soar to 32C in the south of the UK by Saturday.
And most places will reach temperatures above the heatwave threshold by the weekend.
An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days.
Thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK.
In London - where the threshold is 28C - temperatures could peak at 29C on Thursday and 31C on Friday, before hitting 32C on Saturday.
The hot weather will then spread further north, with Manchester and Newcastle enjoying temperatures into the late 20s by the weekend.
The Met Office said several places were expected to exceed 30C on Saturday, making them the highest temperatures of the year so far.
Tony Wisson, a deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "Over the next few days, settled weather and warm sunshine will allow temperatures to rise day on day.
"Temperatures will then rise further towards the end of the week as winds turn more southerly and even warmer air over continental Europe will be drawn across the UK.
"While the warmest temperatures are likely across London and the east of England, by Saturday heatwave thresholds could be reached across much of the Midlands, low-lying areas bordering the Peak District and even parts of east Wales."
The heatwave means some parts of the country will surpass temperatures in holiday hotspots such as Lisbon in Portugal and Barcelona in Spain.
UK lashed by flash floods, thunder & lightning on hottest day of year
The two popular destinations are predicted to reach 29C on Saturday, while in Nice, France, where it will be 30C.
Forecasters have warned some rain is still possible in parts by the end of the week, with localised, heavy showers forecast depending on how humid it gets.
The burst of heat is expected to peak this weekend before easing early next week, with high pressure expected to move away from the UK resulting in falling temperatures.
Mr Wisson added: "Some forecast models even allow temperatures to rise into the mid-30s by Monday. While this is feasible, it is considered a lower-likelihood scenario."
Meanwhile, the London Fire Brigade has issued a warning over wildfires before the prolonged spell of hot weather and following one of the driest springs on record.
Charlie Pugsley, deputy commissioner for operational policy, prevention and protection, said: "Extended periods of hot and dry weather can greatly increase the risk of a grass fire, and particularly when that grass is tinder dry the spread of fire can be rapid.
"We have seen examples of this in London as well as more recently worldwide, such as in California and South Korea.
"Last month, I wrote to the chief executives of each London local authority, outlining some key measures they can take, such as to create fire breaks, and to welcome the work that councils are already undertaking."
A drought was declared by the Environment Agency across Yorkshire last week while the North West of England entered drought status last month.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Brace for 2025's first heatwave: Met Office confirms temperatures of up to 32C are on the way for Britain this week
Britain will enjoy its first heatwave of the year this week with temperatures set to soar to 32C (90F) as some places will be hotter than parts of southern Europe. Forecasters are expecting the heat to build gradually over the coming days - and most areas will reach levels above the heatwave threshold by the weekend. An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three days in a row, with thresholds varying from 25C (77F) to 28C (82F) in different parts. In London - which has a 28C threshold - the mercury will hit 27C (81F) today and tomorrow, 29C (84F) on Thursday, 31C (88F) on Friday and 32C (90F) on Saturday. The heat will also spread north towards the end of this week, with Manchester and Newcastle enjoying temperatures into the late 20Cs (low 80Fs) by the weekend. The Met Office said several places were expected to exceed 30C (86F) on Saturday, making them the highest temperatures of the year so far. The current warmest day of 2025 so far was last Friday when temperatures reached 29.4C (84.9F) at Santon Downham in Suffolk. That broke the previous record for the year which stood at 29.3C (84.7F), recorded on May 1 at Kew Gardens in London. Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Tony Wisson said: 'Over the next few days, settled weather and warm sunshine will allow temperatures to rise day on day. 'Temperatures will then rise further towards the end of the week as winds turn more southerly and even warmer air over continental Europe will be drawn across the UK. 'While the warmest temperatures are likely across London and the east of England, by Saturday heatwave thresholds could be reached across much of the Midlands, low-lying areas bordering the Peak District and even parts of east Wales.' The heatwave means some parts of the country will surpass temperatures in holiday hotspots such as Lisbon in Portugal and Barcelona in Spain, which are predicted to reach 29C (84F) on Saturday, and Nice, France, where it will be 30C (86F). Forecasters have warned some rain is still possible in parts by the end of the week, with localised, heavy showers forecast depending on how humid it gets. The burst of heat is expected to peak this weekend before easing early next week, with high pressure expected to move away from the UK resulting in falling temperatures. Mr Wisson added: 'Some forecast models even allow temperatures to rise into the mid-30Cs by Monday. While this is feasible, it is considered a lower-likelihood scenario.' Meanwhile, the London Fire Brigade has issued a warning over wildfires before the prolonged spell of hot weather and following one of the driest springs on record. Charlie Pugsley, deputy commissioner for operational policy, prevention and protection, said: 'Extended periods of hot and dry weather can greatly increase the risk of a grass fire, and particularly when that grass is tinder dry the spread of fire can be rapid. 'We have seen examples of this in London as well as more recently worldwide, such as in California and South Korea. 'Last month, I wrote to the chief executives of each London local authority, outlining some key measures they can take, such as to create fire breaks, and to welcome the work that councils are already undertaking.' A drought was declared by the Environment Agency across Yorkshire last week while the North West of England entered drought status last month.
South Wales Argus
4 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Met Office predicts UK heatwave to exceed 30C in new forecast
The Met Office has said "much of the UK will be in heatwave conditions by the coming weekend". The weather forecaster says heat will build through the week, with temperatures expected to exceed 30C by Saturday. It is predicted they will be the highest temperatures of the year so far. Met Office forecasts UK heatwave as weather to exceed 30C Tony Wisson, Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'The rising temperatures this week are a combination of several factors. "Over the next few days, settled weather and warm sunshine will allow temperatures to rise day on day. "Temperatures will then rise further towards the end of the week as winds turn more southerly and even warmer air over continental Europe will be drawn across the UK. "We could very well see several places exceeding 30°C, which will be the highest temperatures of the year so far.' In London – where the threshold is 28C – temperatures could peak at 29C on Thursday and 31C on Friday, before hitting 32C on Saturday. It's heating up this week 🌡️ Temperatures will be on an upwards trajectory towards 30°C for some — Met Office (@metoffice) June 16, 2025 The hot weather will then spread further north, with Manchester and Newcastle enjoying temperatures into the late 20s by the weekend. The heatwave means some parts of the country will surpass temperatures in holiday hotspots such as Lisbon in Portugal and Barcelona in Spain, which are predicted to reach 29C on Saturday, and Nice, France, where it will be 30C. What is a heatwave? A heatwave in the UK is when there are at least three consecutive days with temperature values meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold for a set location. Across much of the north and west of the UK, this threshold is 25C, but across Greater London and the Home Counties, the threshold is higher, at 28C. Mr Wisson added: 'By the beginning of the weekend, we could very well be meeting heatwave thresholds in places. "While the warmest temperatures are likely across London and the east of England, by Saturday heatwave thresholds could be reached across much of the Midlands, low-lying areas bordering the Peak District and even parts of east Wales.' How long is the UK heatwave expected to last? The heat is expected to peak this weekend before easing early next week. The Met Office says high pressure is expected to move away from the UK into early next week, resulting in temperatures falling. However, it added that there is "uncertainty in how quickly this happens". Mr Wisson said: 'Temperatures are likely to peak in the low 30s Celsius this weekend before easing sometime early week. "Some forecast models even allow temperatures to rise into the mid-30s of Celsius by Monday. "While this is feasible, it is considered a lower-likelihood scenario.' How to stay cool in summer in the UK The NHS suggests staying out of the heat if possible, adding that it is best to stay shaded, particularly between 11am and 3pm. It also recommends using sunscreen, wearing a hat and light clothes, and avoiding exercise or activity that makes you hotter. To cool yourself down, have cold food and drinks and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes. Recommended reading: Avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks. It is also vital to keep your living space cool, closing windows during the day and opening them at night when it is cooler. Electric fans can also help if the temperature is below 35 degrees.
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Exact date UK will be hotter than Barcelona as 32C heatwave bakes Brits
Temperatures in London could end up exceeding those in typically sweltering parts of Europe, including Lisbon in Portugal, Barcelona in Spain, and Nice in France The mercury is set to surge above 30C for the first time in 2025 thanks to a massive early summer heatwave - creating sweltering conditions across Europe. Weather forecasters have predicted the UK could become hotter than typically baking Barcelona this weekend, with a sunny surge boosting the heat by nearly 10C in a matter of days. Forecasters are expecting temperatures to soar to 32C in the south of the UK by Saturday – and most places will reach high above the heatwave threshold by the weekend. Surging highs hitting between 25C and 28C could mean the first official heatwave of the year is looming on the horizon. READ MORE: UK beach that's 'nicer than Spain' is one of the most complained about in the world According to the Met Office, an official heatwave is recorded when temperatures reach an assigned temperature threshold for at least three consecutive days. In London – where the threshold is 28C – temperatures could peak at 29C on Thursday and 31C on Friday, before hitting 32C on Saturday. Should the forecast hold true, the extreme highs would mean the UK is hotter than Barcelona, where highs will be slightly cooler at 31C. The highs would also exceed highs in Portuguese capital Lisbon, which is predicted to reach 29C on Saturday, and Nice, France, where it will be 30C. The hot weather will then spread further north, with Manchester and Newcastle enjoying temperatures into the late 20s by the weekend. Grahame Madge, a spokesperson for the Met Office, said the extreme highs will be a result of "home-grown conditions" at first, before European warm air pushes temperatures upwards by the weekend. He said: 'Temperatures rising through the week will be home-grown conditions, where we get quite sunny weather, elevating temperatures. But as we get nearer to the weekend, that will receive a boost as we start to import warmer air from the south of Europe. "There will be a low pressure area to the west by the weekend and a high pressure one to the east. Those weather systems will funnel air between them and feed warmer air across the UK.' Forecasters have warned some rain is still possible in parts by the end of the week, however, with localised, heavy showers forecast depending on how humid it gets. Meanwhile, the London Fire Brigade has issued a warning over wildfires ahead of the prolonged spell of hot weather and following one of the driest springs on record. Charlie Pugsley, deputy commissioner for operational policy, prevention and protection, said: 'Extended periods of hot and dry weather can greatly increase the risk of a grass fire, and particularly when that grass is tinder dry the spread of fire can be rapid. "We have seen examples of this in London as well as more recently worldwide, such as in California and South Korea. Last month, I wrote to the chief executives of each London local authority, outlining some key measures they can take, such as to create fire breaks, and to welcome the work that councils are already undertaking."
