The UK is bracing for sizzling temperatures this week, with some areas predicted highs of a scorching 33C. The Met Office has confirmed that Friday will be a dry and sunny day for the majority of places - but said an official heatwave may not be on the cards.
While there's no denying that seeing temperatures up in the 30s is rare for the UK in June, the weather agency has specific criteria that need to be met in order for a heatwave to be declared. With this week's hot spell predicted to be brief, that looks unlikely for most places.
The Met Office explained: "A UK heatwave threshold is met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold. The threshold varies by UK county.
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"Although some parts of England may perhaps meet these heat wave criteria it looks like this spell of warm weather will be relatively short-lived. Milder conditions look likely to return later in the weekend with temperatures trending back to around average for June as we see cooler air push across the country from the northwest."
While Manchester is forecast to hit its heatwave temperature threshold of 25C on Friday with highs of 27C, there are two slightly cooler days forecast beforehand, with highs of 21C and 22C, and a drop in temperature down to 18C on Saturday. That makes the likelihood of a three-day scorcher pretty slim.
Some southern areas might be in with a chance of reaching the heatwave threshold, however, as temperatures are set to rise to the high 20s earlier in the week before peaking on Friday. The Met Office said: "From Wednesday onwards while cloud, rain and breezy conditions continue across the northwest, it will become increasingly warm in the south as high pressure builds. This will bring settled conditions allowing temperatures to build day-on-day and for it to become warm, or even hot, for a time by Friday."
The threshold for a heatwave is 25C for Wales and Scotland, 27C for southern and eastern England, and 28C for London. Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Dan Rudman, added: “Temperatures will rise through the week, becoming well above-average by day by Friday when many parts of the southern half of the UK are likely to reach 30C or even 33C in isolated spots.
“This is the first spell of hot weather this year and it is still unusual for temperature to exceed these values in June. Many areas will also see some warm nights with temperatures expected to be in the mid to high teens overnight.”
Parts of the South East, London and Wales could reach at least 27C, rising to the low 30s on Friday, hotter than Portugal, Jamaica, Costa Rica, the Canary Islands and Cyprus. Friday could be the hottest June day for the UK since records began if temperatures top the 35.6C recorded in Southampton in 1976.
With the sunshine on its way, people looking to top up their tans, swim in open water or use public transport have been urged to be aware of high UV levels. Forecaster Craig Snell warned: "Very high UV levels are expected in the south this week, meaning people should really avoid being in the sun during the midday hours. Wearing sunglasses, a shirt, a hat and sunscreen are essential to protect the eyes and skin, and drinking lots of water is important – long exposure to the sun can be dangerous."
“People should avoid overdoing it. We all love the sunny weather, but being sensible can help you avoid a nasty sunburn," he added.
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