Weather forecasters from the Met Office and MeteoGroup say there is an increased chance of heatwaves in the coming months following the 35C record-breaker in May
The Met Office has issued a forecast for the next three months, with an “increased chance of heatwave conditions” developing in the UK.
It follows a scorching heatwave in May during which temperatures surged as high as 35.1C in Kew Gardens, London. That was the hottest temperature in May since records began.
Weather models suggest we could soon see the mercury rise back above 30C towards the middle of this month. And now the Met Office has published a long-range outlook for June, July and August – which states “hot conditions are more likely than usual” this summer.
It said that although “near average conditions are still just about the most likely outcome”, forecasters did not want to diminish the fact that “we have a more than usual chance of a hot summer”.
The rising likelihood of heatwaves is “consistent with the long‑term trend of rising UK temperatures linked to global climate change”, the forecast added.
MeteoGroup – which provides data to BBC Weather – also suggested more heatwaves could come. A “few notable high temperature spikes” are also possible, it added.
MeteoGroup forecasters say “above-average temperatures” are likely across June, July and August. “Significant bursts” of heat are expected in both the UK and across Europe, they added.
Met Office weather forecast for June
In its forecast for June 8 to June 17, the Met Office says “showers or longer spells of rain” are on the cards, with the wettest conditions coming in the north-west, while the south-east is expected to remain driest.
Towards the end of the period, higher pressure and more settled conditions could become more prevalent – particularly in the south. “Temperatures are likely to be near normal overall,” the Met Office adds.
The Met Office forecast for June 18 to July 2 says that, at the start of the period, high pressure should bring “drier conditions to most parts of the UK” – although showers remain possible. “Winds will mostly be light with temperatures probably above normal,” it adds.
“Towards the end of June, low pressure may begin to have more of an influence, especially across the south where heavy showers and thunderstorms become more probable. It may also become hot in parts of the south.”
