The Met Office has warned that the United Kingdom could face an increased risk of heatwaves this summer, with temperatures potentially soaring to 30 degrees Celsius in the coming days. According to weather maps from forecaster WXCharts, a significant hot spell is expected to affect large parts of the country by Wednesday, June 17.
Potential 30C Peak in London
London is predicted to reach highs of 30C, while the South East, South West, and Midlands are also set for widespread temperatures of 28C or more. The Met Office’s latest three-month outlook indicates that the chances of a hot summer are higher than normal, with an increased likelihood of heatwaves and heat-related impacts. This follows a record-breaking heat spell that saw temperatures hit 35.1C at Kew Gardens in London the previous Monday.
Climate Drivers Behind the Forecast
The forecaster attributes the outlook for June through August to warming UK climate conditions and a likely El Niño weather phenomenon. El Niño, caused by rising waters in the Pacific Ocean, has the potential to intensify heat across the planet, raising fears of more extreme weather events in the UK. The Met Office has previously stated growing confidence that El Niño conditions could strengthen significantly, with some experts comparing the developing system to some of the most powerful weather events ever recorded.
June itself is tipped to be warmer than usual, although Atlantic weather systems are expected to bring showers and longer spells of rain at the start of the month. However, mid-June could see more settled conditions develop, with higher pressure bringing drier and sunnier weather for many parts of the country, and temperatures likely to sit above average overall.
Heat Spikes Expected
MeteoGroup has indicated that a few notable high temperature spikes are possible, with above-average temperatures expected for June, July, and August, as well as significant bursts of heat in the UK and across Europe. Met Office scientist Dr Emily Carlisle commented: "This spring highlights both the natural variability of the UK’s weather and the longer-term warming we are observing. While conditions varied through the season, all three months of meteorological spring recorded mean temperatures within the UK’s top ten warmest on record."
She added: "While we expect fluctuations from year to year, this spring shows some of the changes we're seeing in our weather patterns, with more extreme conditions becoming more frequent. The fact that nine of the ten warmest springs in England have occurred since 2007 illustrates this ongoing shift in the UK’s climate."
Counties Set for 28C or Higher on June 17
The following counties are expected to experience temperatures of 28C or higher on June 17: Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Kent, Greater London, West Sussex, East Sussex, Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Dorset.
