The Met Office has predicted a significant surge in temperatures across the UK on Friday, with the mercury potentially reaching 26C. Weather maps indicate that as many as 38 counties will experience temperatures of 20C or higher, well above the seasonal average.
Temperature Forecast
According to the Met Office, southern areas could see highs of 26C, while northern regions may reach 24C. The national weather agency noted that conditions will feel "much warmer" in the east, with a humid feel for many. Despite showers expected in the west and south-west, which will spread northeastwards, the east will bask in warmth. Saturday is also predicted to be warm, with highs of 23C in the south and 20C in the north.
Anomaly Maps
Temperature anomaly maps for Friday show the UK covered in deep red, indicating where temperatures are expected to rise significantly above the seasonal average. The ECMWF weather model predicts highs of 23C, with the best conditions in the south-east of England, particularly London. The Midlands and South Yorkshire could see afternoon highs of 22C to 23C.
Counties Affected
The ECMWF model suggests that 38 counties will see temperatures of 20C or above. These are all in England and Scotland, with no counties in Northern Ireland or Wales reaching that threshold.
Scotland
- Sutherland
- Ross-shire and Cromartyshire
- Nairnshire
- Morayshire
- Banffshire
- Aberdeenshire
- Berwickshire
- Roxburghshire
England
- Northumberland
- Durham
- Yorkshire
- Lancashire
- Cheshire
- Shropshire
- Staffordshire
- Leicestershire
- Nottinghamshire
- Derbyshire
- Lincolnshire
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
- Cambridgeshire
- Northamptonshire
- Warwickshire
- Worcestershire
- Herefordshire
- Oxfordshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Bedfordshire
- Wiltshire
- Berkshire
- Hampshire
- Surrey
- Kent
- Sussex
- Essex
- Middlesex
- Devon
BBC Weather Outlook
BBC Weather forecasts a band of cloud and showers sweeping into many western parts on Friday, while eastern areas will be sunny and warm, especially in south-east England. Showers will later push east into north-east England. Over the weekend, conditions will become unsettled and cloudier with frequent scattered showers, or longer spells of rain on Sunday for England and Wales, with a chance of thunder. Monday will be mainly cloudy with some lingering rain, but sunny breaks may develop towards the far south and north-west.
Heatwave Status
Despite the sweltering temperatures, this warm spell is not expected to constitute an official heatwave. An official heatwave is declared when temperatures reach or exceed the heatwave threshold for three consecutive days. The threshold varies from 25C to 28C across the UK, with 28C in the south-east and 25C further north.
