Met Office weather maps show heatwave hitting 31C in UK this week

24 June 2024 , 10:18

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Temperatures are expected to exceed 30C this week (stock) (Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The UK is bracing for a heatwave this week, with temperatures expected to soar above 30C in some areas before "temporarily" cooling down.

Exacta Weather forecaster James Madden has predicted official heatwave conditions over the coming days, stating that "temperatures should reach into the low 30Cs at the very least" across "central, southern, and eastern" England.

In a Facebook update on Monday (June 24) Madden said maximum temperatures will hit "the high 20Cs and maybe even 30C" between now and Wednesday (June 26).

The Met Office defines a heatwave as "when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding a heatwave temperature threshold". This threshold varies from 25C to 28C between counties in the UK - and Madden believes we will soon surpass those temperatures, "particularly when some parts of the south will certainly well exceed these values over the coming days, with potential maximum temperatures reaching the low 30Cs".

Maximum possible temperatures at 3pm on Wednesday (UKV model) (theweatheroutlook.com)

Madden reckons the balmy temperatures will "temporarily" take a dip on Thursday (June 27) and Friday (June 28) up north, with a "thundery breakdown" in store. But, he was quick to add: "However, there are question marks surrounding the extent and longevity of these exact developments, and parts of the south and regions in the southern half of the country may actually escape any temporary cooler and unsettled blip later on in the week altogether as the influence of high pressure and warm temperatures clings on for longer than expected in these parts."

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According to the UKV weather model - which is run by the Met Office - people in London and around the English-Welsh border could be basking in 30C on Wednesday, followed by a scorching 31C in East Anglia on Thursday.

Maximum possible temperatures at 3pm on Thursday (UKV model) (theweatheroutlook.com)

Meanwhile, the Met Office says "hot sunshine" is due during the early part of this week. Its forecast reads: "Scotland and Northern Ireland will see some showery rain on Tuesday. Elsewhere most places will stay fine with light winds and further very warm or hot spells of sunshine.

"Cloudy and cool in the northeast on Wednesday. Warm, or hot sunshine elsewhere. Showers possible in the southwest. Rain likely moving east on Thursday. Turning brighter, showery, fresher for Friday."

Ethan Blackshaw