Map shows how hot the weather has to be before it is a heatwave in the UK
It's time to dig out the SPF and stay hydrated as UK temperatures soar for the second time in two weeks.
Forecasters predict London and the south of England could reach up to 28°C on Friday, before rising to 30°C on Saturday and 31°C on Sunday.
It's all thanks to a heatwave which is already developing across western Europe.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber heat health alert, which came into effect this morning and is in place until 6pm on Tuesday.
While the word 'heatwave' can get bandied around as soon as the sun starts to come out in the UK, there are certain thresholds that must be met before a heatwave is actually declared.
The temperature that must be reached for a heatwave to be announced is different depending on what area of the UK you're in, meaning parts of the country can be in a heatwave while others aren't.
Some Britons are set to bask in a heatwave this week.
The Met Office defines the weather event as when temperatures meet or exceed the threshold for a specific area for three consecutive days.
As shown in the map above, in London, this is 28°C, whereas in cities including Bristol, Cardiff and Manchester, the threshold is 27°C, 26°C and 25°C, respectively.
The Met Office is warning that this weekend and early next week are likely to bring the highest temperatures of 2025 so far.
Deputy chief meteorologist Mike Silverstone said: 'Higher temperatures building over the weekend and into early next week will bring particularly warm, hot or even very hot conditions for some.
'By the weekend, an area of high pressure will be intensifying and dominating the UK forecast.
'Conditions will be hottest in the south and east while areas further north and northwest will be relatively cooler.
'Monday could see temperatures reach around 34°C in some parts, though we will be able to be more precise closer to the time.'
The burst of heat is expected to peak this weekend before easing early next week.
There is uncertainty in how quickly it will cool, with some models predicting temperatures in the mid-30s by Monday.
Mike added: 'The heat is most likely to gradually relent from the west on Tuesday and into Wednesday, with a return towards more average temperatures for the second half of next week.
The Met Office has warned the hottest temperatures across the weekend will be seen in the south east and East Anglia and more locally elsewhere in England and east Wales.
The Met Office confirmed the UK's record high temperature was 40.3°C. The mercury hits those heights in Lincolnshire in July 2022. More Trending
The extreme temperatures were recorded as the UK was sweltering in an unprecedented heatwave.
In that time, the previous UK record temperature of 38.7°C was provisionally met or exceeded in 46 places across the UK, while seven areas saw temperatures above 40°C.
Dr Mark McCarthy, from the National Climate Information Centre, told the Met Office in 2022 that without human-induced climate change, 'it would be virtually impossible for temperatures in the UK to reach 40°C.'
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: Boy, 12, and man, 59, killed after flash floods sweep through France
MORE: Teenager shot dead in water gun fight during US heatwave
MORE: 'We spent the hottest day of the year with no water – our landlords couldn't care less'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
In pictures: Hot weekend for the East of England
BBC Weather Watchers have been out in force as the East of England experienced high temperatures. From a dog enjoying a trip to the beach to a sunset across a lake, people were making the most of the warm weather and trying to stay cool. An amber heat health alert has been issued for the region, and a second heatwave is forecast over the weekend. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the warning was in force from 12:00 BST on Friday until 18:00 BST on Tuesday, with the warmest weather expected on Sunday and Met Office said temperatures could hit about 30C (about 86F) across the East of England on Monday. Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks, BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Norfolk, BBC Northamptonshire or BBC Suffolk.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Thousands of Brits flock to beaches to soak up glorious sunshine as temps set to hit 34C in just days
SATUR-YAY Thousands of Brits flock to beaches to soak up glorious sunshine as temps set to hit 34C in just days Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of Brits have been swarming to beaches today to soak up the glorious rays - days before temperatures hit 34C. Families have packed out seaside resorts in the likes of Lyme Regis and Bournemouth in Dorset amid the unseasonably warm June heat, and it's due to continue for days to come. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Revellers on Bournemouth beach this afternoon Credit: BNPS 4 People pack out the beach at Lyme Regis, Dorset, today Credit: Alamy 4 A Met Office map shows highs of 34C are expected in the UK on Monday It comes as thousands of music lovers have flocked to the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, with organisers having warned attendees to check its heat advice. An amber heat alert has been issued for parts of England - with possible highs of 34C on Monday, which could then prove to be the hottest June day on record. The current record stands at 35.6C and was set in 1976. On average, temperatures usually max out for most of the UK this month at around 18C, with highs of 21C in the south. Met Office meteorologist Ellie Glaisyer said of Saturday the heat "continues to build", particularly in the south and southeast, thanks to an area of high pressure. However, a separate weather front is bringing some murky and skies and cloud for many across the country today, as well as "outbreaks of patchy rain and drizzle" - specifically in central areas, as well as blustery showers in the north, including Scotland, said Ms Glaisyer. "But really feeling rather warm across the very far southeast, perhaps even hot in places, particularly where those winds are little bit lighter. "We could see highs of 29, 30, perhaps even 31C." And despite some further rain in some areas of the UK, the forecaster said temperatures will remain mild overnight, only dropping to the high teens across much of the country. Sunday is expected to see "plenty of dry weather around, plenty of sunshine, but again feeling really quite warm across the southeast", she continued. Met Office maps show temperatures hitting 30C in London by 4pm on Sunday, while Birmingham will also see highs of 28C, and Hull 27C. Ms Glaisyer said the mercury could again potentially 31C in parts. A heatwave in the UK is met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days, with temperature values meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature thresholds. Across the north and west of the UK this is 25C, and across Greater London and the Home Counties, 28C. 5-day weather forecast Today: Rather cloudy across western England and Wales with outbreaks of rain over the hills. Brightening up elsewhere with sunshine developing into the afternoon. Breezy for many, providing slight relief to the hot and humid conditions across central and eastern areas. Tonight: Most areas dry with clear spells. Cloudier in the west and more generally across northern England with occasional drizzle. Muggy for England and Wales; fresher for Scotland and Northern Ireland. Sunday: Cloud and drizzle drifting northwards, reaching northwest Scotland by evening. Chance of an afternoon shower across Northern Ireland as it brightens. Dry elsewhere and feeling warmer owing to lighter winds. Outlook for Monday to Wednesday: Hot and sunny for southern and eastern areas on Monday; cloudier and breezier in the northwest with rain. This cloud and rain gradually moving southeast, introducing fresher conditions by mid-week.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Thousands of Brits flock to beaches to soak up glorious sunshine as temps set to hit 34C in just days
THOUSANDS of Brits have been swarming to beaches today to soak up the glorious rays - days before temperatures hit 34C. Families have packed out seaside resorts in the likes of Lyme Regis and Bournemouth in Dorset amid the unseasonably warm June heat, and it's due to continue for days to come. 4 4 4 It comes as thousands of music lovers have flocked to the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, with organisers having warned attendees to check its heat advice. An amber heat alert has been issued for parts of England - with possible highs of 34C on Monday, which could then prove to be the hottest June day on record. The current record stands at 35.6C and was set in 1976. On average, temperatures usually max out for most of the UK this month at around 18C, with highs of 21C in the south. Met Office meteorologist Ellie Glaisyer said of Saturday the heat "continues to build", particularly in the south and southeast, thanks to an area of high pressure. However, a separate weather front is bringing some murky and skies and cloud for many across the country today, as well as "outbreaks of patchy rain and drizzle" - specifically in central areas, as well as blustery showers in the north, including Scotland, said Ms Glaisyer. "But really feeling rather warm across the very far southeast, perhaps even hot in places, particularly where those winds are little bit lighter. "We could see highs of 29, 30, perhaps even 31C." And despite some further rain in some areas of the UK, the forecaster said temperatures will remain mild overnight, only dropping to the high teens across much of the country. Sunday is expected to see "plenty of dry weather around, plenty of sunshine, but again feeling really quite warm across the southeast", she continued. Met Office maps show temperatures hitting 30C in London by 4pm on Sunday, while Birmingham will also see highs of 28C, and Hull 27C. Ms Glaisyer said the mercury could again potentially 31C in parts. A heatwave in the UK is met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days, with temperature values meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature thresholds. Across the north and west of the UK this is 25C, and across Greater London and the Home Counties, 28C. 5-day weather forecast Today: Rather cloudy across western England and Wales with outbreaks of rain over the hills. Brightening up elsewhere with sunshine developing into the afternoon. Breezy for many, providing slight relief to the hot and humid conditions across central and eastern areas. Tonight: Most areas dry with clear spells. Cloudier in the west and more generally across northern England with occasional drizzle. Muggy for England and Wales; fresher for Scotland and Northern Ireland. Sunday: Cloud and drizzle drifting northwards, reaching northwest Scotland by evening. Chance of an afternoon shower across Northern Ireland as it brightens. Dry elsewhere and feeling warmer owing to lighter winds. Outlook for Monday to Wednesday: Hot and sunny for southern and eastern areas on Monday; cloudier and breezier in the northwest with rain. This cloud and rain gradually moving southeast, introducing fresher conditions by mid-week. 4
