The Met Office has delivered its verdict on the chances of a heatwave this month as UK temperatures surge. Britons started June with glorious near wall-to-wall sunshine, with the mercury topping 20C during the weekend and beyond, igniting hopes of a prolonged hot spell.
The last few days have suggested that the forecast everyone desires is on the horizon, and the latest five-day outlooks show continued 20C highs. The Met Office has confirmed that warmer temperatures could well persist, especially towards the middle of the month.
But a forecaster speaking to the Mirror Online poured cold water on high hopes of a heatwave, stating the prospect is not on the cards, at least at present. Stephen Dixon, a spokesman for the Met Office, said there is "not a heatwave in the current forecast". The current outlook, Mr Dixon said, appears more miserable at present, with a colder pool of air expected to bring atmospheric temperatures down and whip up some showers. The forecaster didn't rule out more warmth, saying rainy weather will likely subside in time for the weekend.
Mr Dixon said a "cooler pool of air" would move "gradually southeast" through today, becoming heavy in places. Those showers will follow "through much of the week", with some finding their way north while southern England becomes drier in a "typical mix". He added: "There is a chance that high pressure from the west and southwest will settle things down. That would reduce shower frequency." The pressure, the forecaster said, could "reduce showers for a time and settle things down" with more possible sunny skies to come.
The forecaster said temperatures are "likely to be average, above average". Forecasts become less clear the further ahead they try to predict the weather, with the Met Office warning that only the next five days can be accurately foretold. The long-range forecast, which covers June 8 to 17, states there "should be a good deal" of dry weather in the south. The forecast adds: "Small chance of a more widely settled spell developing for a time next week. Rather cool at the start of the period, temperatures probably slowly recovering back to around average with an increasing chance of some warmer spells, especially across the south."
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