The heatwave which saw temperatures climb into the 30s this week will now disappear as ‘changeable’ weather and thunderstorms move in, forecasters from the Met Office have said
Britain’s sizzling hot heatwave is to give way to a week of heavy rain, thunderstorms and “changeable” weather, according to the Met Office.
Parts of the nation enjoyed another warm day on Friday as temperatures jumped up to 28C amid sunny, clear skies. But things are expected to be considerably cooler from today, with the mercury dropping by five degrees to 22C on Saturday in the southeast and falling back into the teens further north.
This more mixed picture will stick around into next week as the high pressure front which brought warmer weather disappears, and is replaced by colder air from the Atlantic. Persistent rain showers will also take hold, say the Met Office, with a chance of thunderstorms developing in the southeast on Tuesday.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Andy Page said: “The recent influence of high pressure on the UK’s weather is now subsiding and is being replaced by more of a dominant westerly weather regime. This is seeing temperatures dip back towards average for the time of year for many but will also open the door to some more persistent rain into northwestern areas in the coming days.” Temperatures are likely to remain around average for August, and are likely to be higher in some southern areas as a result of more frequent sunshine, the forecast adds.
Other forecasters have raised the prospect of a new heatwave emerging towards the middle of August. James Madden, from Exacta Weather, predicted that this could be even hotter than the past week, and may see temperatures climb into the high 30s.
He said: “In and around August 10–15 will bring another additional and major heat surge across our shores, and this could bring the hottest temperatures of the summer to date, with overall values rising into the low to mid 30s at the very least once again. The more extreme possibility or peak of this expected heat surge could even see temperatures reaching into the mid to high 30s in the hottest parts of the country during this developing period.”
UK weather forecast
Saturday:
Rain slowly clearing the southeast through the day. Sunny spells elsewhere with well scattered showers across Northern Ireland and Scotland. Feeling fresher for all, but still pleasantly warm.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Largely dry and bright on Sunday, but rain spreading into the northwest later. The rain then gradually sinks southeastwards on Monday and Tuesday, but turning increasingly warmer ahead of this.
