Latest news with #NicolaMaxey
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
UK twice as likely to have hot summer this year, says Met Office
The UK is twice as likely as usual to have a hot summer this year, the Met Office has predicted, warning that there is also an increased risk of heatwaves. The predictions follow the country's sunniest spring on record, with the UK clocking up 630 hours of sunshine since the start of March, in what has also been the driest spring for more than a century. Temperatures soared to 8C above the average for the time of year on Saturday – the last day of meteorological spring – before a potentially hot summer season. Heathrow, in west London, experienced the hottest weather on Saturday, at 26.7C, while levels of grass pollen were very high in the south-east of England. The Met Office said: 'While the current three-month outlook shows an increased chance of a hot summer, the temperature signals for this summer are similar to those for recent years and consistent with our warming climate.' The predictions come from the Met Office's three-month outlook for June, July and August, which provides risk assessments for unusual temperatures, rainfall and wind for government contingency planners and businesses. It is based on an assessment of broad weather patterns across the whole of the UK and factors in recent global weather trends. Nicola Maxey, a spokesperson for the Met Office, said: 'It's not produced as a public forecast for people to look at and work out whether we can have a barbecue in August or a garden party in July. 'At this time of year, global signals influencing UK weather are typically weak,' she added. 'However, consistent with our warming climate and as we have seen over recent years, the current outlook indicates an increased likelihood of above-average temperatures this summer. This is not a guarantee of prolonged hot weather or heatwaves; while we could see more hot days and warm nights than usual, we could also see a mix of cooler days and less extreme warmth.' The outlook shows it is 2.3 times more likely than normal that the UK will be hot over meteorological summer, which begins on 1 June and ends on 31 August. The average temperatures across the UK over those months range from 10-17C, with the south-east of England experiencing the higher averages of 16-17C. This would be in line with a recent trend of unusually hot summers. The last time the UK experienced a 'cool' summer was in 2015. The ongoing extreme marine heatwave in north-west European waters – sea surface temperatures around UK coastlines are 1.5-2.5C warmer than average – may further boost temperatures, although the added warmth and moisture in the air could potentially lead to more intense summer storms. The latest outlook also shows the levels of rainfall and wind speed for the next three months are likely to be near average. Many water companies will be hoping for a wet summer to help avoid the need for water usage restrictions. This week, the Environment Agency declared drought status for the north-west of England following the driest start to spring in 69 years, with many reservoirs in the region at historical low levels for the time of year. Summers in the UK have become warmer, wetter and sunnier in recent decades due to climate change, according to the Met Office's State of the UK Climate report. Observations show that extremes of temperature in the UK have been affected much more than average temperature. The number of 'hot' days (28C) more than doubled and 'very hot' days (30C) more than tripled for 2014-23 compared with 1961-90. Extreme weather events such as the 2022 heatwave, when temperatures in England surpassed 40C for the first time, were made more likely by climate change and are expected to become more common in future.
The Independent
21-06-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Scattered thunderstorms to mix with heat as temperatures up to 34C forecast
Scattered thunderstorms are set to mix with continued high temperatures on Saturday, with up to 34C possible in some areas. A yellow thunderstorm weather warning covering all of northern England, from Nottingham up to above Newcastle, will come into force from 5pm and last until 3am on Sunday. The Met Office warned the most intense storms could produce 'frequent lightning, large hail and gusty winds', along with a chance of flooding. Parts of eastern England could also see temperatures peak high enough to eclipse the 32.2C seen on Thursday and become the hottest day of the year so far. An amber heat-health alert for all regions in England is also in place for the whole of the weekend, after heatwaves were triggered across the county and in Wales on Friday. Northern Ireland provisionally recorded its warmed June night on record, the Met Office said, as the temperature at Aldergrove did not drop below 18.2C over the 24 hours from Friday morning to Saturday morning Large crowds gathered at Stonehenge for the annual summer solstice early on Saturday morning, with temperatures reaching 18C by 5am for those observing the spectacle. Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said: 'There are scattered thunderstorms coming through. 'Some of the rain could be quite intense, and frequent lightning, hail, gusty winds and some heavy downpours, which we haven't seen for a while. 'Some of the ground is quite hard at the moment, and when you get heavy rain hitting hard ground, it can cause surface water issues. 'You might find surface water on the roads, drains finding it difficult to cope and a small chance of homes being flooded.' An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK. The Met Office confirmed that 'many places' in England and 'one or two areas' in Wales, including Cardiff, entered a heatwave on Friday. Aidan McGovern, meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'At the moment, the temperatures will be highest towards the east, [with] lower temperatures in the west compared with Friday but still high humidity, so it's going to feel oppressive in many places, and [there is] always a chance of some showers developing as the day progresses, particularly towards the west. 'Temperatures [will be] peaking at 31 to 33, or 34C, somewhere between London and Midlands and north-east England.' There will also be very high UV and pollen levels across the country on Saturday, the forecaster said. Temperatures reached 32.2C in Kew, west London, on Thursday, making it the warmest day of the year so far, while Friday saw highs of 30.8C recorded in both England and Wales. The amber heat-health alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the first time since September 2023, is in force until 9am on Monday. It warns 'significant impacts are likely' across health and social care services because of high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or people with health conditions. Following the hot weather, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) urged the public to take heat and water safety seriously. During 2022's heatwave, temperatures rose past 40C, leading to 320 people being treated in hospital. Steve Cole, policy director at RoSPA, said: 'Heat is no longer just a holiday perk — it's a growing public health risk. 'We're seeing more frequent and intense heatwaves, both in the UK and globally, and the data shows a clear rise in heat-related illness and fatalities. 'Warm weather can also be deceptive when it comes to going for a dip. 'While the air may feel hot, water temperatures often remain dangerously cold, which can lead to cold-water shock, even in summer.'
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Yellow weather warning for Bolton this afternoon as the hot weather continues
A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued for the region. The warning is in place from 3pm today until 4am tomorrow. Temperatures in the town will continue to be high, reaching 26 degrees celsius today. The forecast is for sunny spells and scattered showers across the borough during the day, the Met Office forecast. Temperatures will remain high through the day, falling to just 18 degrees tonight. Scattered thunderstorms are set to mix with continued high temperatures on Saturday with up to 34C possible in some areas of the UK. The Met Office warned the most intense storms could produce 'frequent lightning, large hail and gusty winds', along with a chance of flooding More: Five easy ways to stay cool and sleep better during a heatwave Read more: Bolton: Met Office issues yellow weather warning for thunderstorms More: Heatwave Mounjaro warning issued for millions as temperatures soar The weather warning covers all of northern England, from Nottingham up to above Newcastle, will come into force from 3pm and last until 4am on Sunday. An amber heat-health alert for all regions in England is also in place for the whole of the weekend, after heatwaves were triggered across the county and in Wales on Friday. Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said: 'There are scattered thunderstorms coming through. 'Some of the rain could be quite intense, and frequent lightning, hail, gusty winds and some heavy downpours, which we haven't seen for a while. 'Some of the ground is quite hard at the moment, and when you get heavy rain hitting hard ground, it can cause surface water issues. 'You might find surface water on the roads, drains finding it difficult to cope and a small chance of homes being flooded.' An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK. The Met Office confirmed that 'many places' in England and 'one or two areas' in Wales, including Cardiff, entered a heatwave on Friday. Aidan McGovern, meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'At the moment, the temperatures will be highest towards the east, [with] lower temperatures in the west compared with Friday but still high humidity, so it's going to feel oppressive in many places, and [there is] always a chance of some showers developing as the day progresses, particularly towards the west. 'Temperatures [will be] peaking at 31 to 33, or 34C, somewhere between London and Midlands and north-east England.' There will also be very high UV and pollen levels across the country on Saturday, the forecaster said. Temperatures reached 32.2C in Kew, west London, on Thursday, making it the warmest day of the year so far, while Friday saw highs of 30.8C recorded in both England and Wales. The amber heat-health alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the first time since September 2023, is in force until 9am on Monday. It warns 'significant impacts are likely' across health and social care services because of high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or people with health conditions. Following the hot weather, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) urged the public to take heat and water safety seriously. During 2022's heatwave, temperatures rose past 40C, leading to 320 people being treated in hospital. Steve Cole, policy director at RoSPA, said: 'Heat is no longer just a holiday perk — it's a growing public health risk. 'We're seeing more frequent and intense heatwaves, both in the UK and globally, and the data shows a clear rise in heat-related illness and fatalities. 'Warm weather can also be deceptive when it comes to going for a dip. 'While the air may feel hot, water temperatures often remain dangerously cold, which can lead to cold-water shock, even in summer.'
Scottish Sun
21-06-2025
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
UK weather: Britain to bask in 34C temps on longest day of the year as thousands meet at Stonehenge for summer solstice
the Met Office has also warned of thunderstorms across parts of England today RISE AND SHINE UK weather: Britain to bask in 34C temps on longest day of the year as thousands meet at Stonehenge for summer solstice BRITS are flocking to beaches across the UK today as the mercury is set to rise to 34C. Thousands of people headed out early this morning to watch the sunrise over Stonehenge in celebration of the summer solstice. 6 Spectators watched the men's quarter-finals at the HSBC Championships at The Queen's Club yesterday Credit: Alamy 6 Over 1,000 cyclists set off to cycle 205 miles in one day across England starting from Minster on Sea, Kent at sunrise today Credit: Alamy 6 Thousands gathered to watch the sun rise over Stonehenge near Amesbury, Wiltshire, this morning Credit: Story Picture Agency Those who marked the year's longest day elsewhere experienced 18C temperatures in Salisbury and Greater London by 5am, according to the Met Office. The weather agency also confirmed that Yeovilton in Somerset and Crosby in Merseyside had the highest recorded overnight figures in England, both reaching 19.7C by 6am. The mercury in Cumbria and Lancashire also reached highs above 19C. Beaches, parks and pubs across the country will be packed as revellers look to lap up the sunshine and make the most of the warm weather. Read More HEAT HAZARD Safety warning issued to parents over kids using garden slides on warm days But an amber heat-health alert for all regions in England remains in place for the weekend. And, the Met Office has also warned of thunderstorms across northern parts of England today. A yellow thunderstorm weather warning is in place from Nottingham up to above Newcastle. It will come into force from 3pm and last until 4am on Sunday. The Met Office warned there could be "frequent lightning, large hail and gusty winds", along with a chance of flooding. Parts of eastern England could climb higher than the 32.2C seen on Thursday and become the hottest day of the year so far. Ireland to sizzle in 24C heat as heatwave arrives and Met Eireann reveal hottest areas Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said: "There are scattered thunderstorms coming through. "Some of the rain could be quite intense, and frequent lightning, hail, gusty winds and some heavy downpours, which we haven't seen for a while. "Some of the ground is quite hard at the moment, and when you get heavy rain hitting hard ground, it can cause surface water issues. "You might find surface water on the roads, drains finding it difficult to cope and a small chance of homes being flooded." An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK. Aidan McGovern, meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "At the moment, the temperatures will be highest towards the east, [with] lower temperatures in the west compared with Friday but still high humidity, so it's going to feel oppressive in many places, and [there is] always a chance of some showers developing as the day progresses, particularly towards the west. "Temperatures [will be] peaking at 31 to 33, or 34C, somewhere between London and Midlands and north-east England." Steve Cole, policy director at RoSPA, said: "Heat is no longer just a holiday perk - it's a growing public health risk. "We're seeing more frequent and intense heatwaves, both in the UK and globally, and the data shows a clear rise in heat-related illness and fatalities. "Warm weather can also be deceptive when it comes to going for a dip. "While the air may feel hot, water temperatures often remain dangerously cold, which can lead to cold-water shock, even in summer." Over the last few days, Brits have flocked to the seaside and rivers so they can take a quick dip to cool off. Others have been spotted sunbathing in parks instead and making the most of their lunch breaks. It comes as an amber heat health alert was been issued for the whole of England from 12pm on Thursday until 9am on Monday. The alert - a step up from the yellow heat health alert issued earlier this week - warned that "significant impacts are likely" across health and social care services because of high temperatures. One Royal Ascot spectator was taken to hospital on Thursday, with 42 others given medical attention on site for heat-related illness during the prestigious horse racing event. The UK's June temperature record stands at 35.6C, which was set in Southampton in 1976. Current forecasts suggest the record is unlikely to be broken this time - but it will come close. A warning against wildfires has also been issued by the Fire Brigade, as firefighters have responded to more than 500 across England and Wales this year so far. Five day weather forecast Today A warm, bright start but turning cloudier from the south through the morning. Scattered, showers spread across the southwest, moving northeastwards by the afternoon bringing a risk of heavy showers, thunderstorms, and hail to northern England and Wales later. Tonight Heavy showers and thunderstorms in the north gradually clear overnight. Mostly dry with clear spells elsewhere, although further heavy showers in the northwest by dawn. Feeling fresher in the west. Sunday Fresher for most with breezy westerly winds bringing sunshine and scattered showers, a few thunderstorms in the northwest. Drier and brighter in the southeast but staying warm and humid here. Outlook for Monday to Wednesday Breezy westerly winds continue to bring a mixture of sunshine and showers, these heaviest in the north and west. Near average temperatures, though feeling warm in the sunshine. Fresher nights. 6 A yellow thunderstorm weather warning is in place from Nottingham up to above Newcastle Credit: MET Office 6 The picturesque seaside resort of Lyme Regis was starting to get busy on Friday Credit: Alamy
The Sun
21-06-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
UK weather: Britain to bask in 34C temps on longest day of the year as thousands meet at Stonehenge for summer solstice
BRITS are flocking to beaches across the UK today as the mercury is set to rise to 34C. Thousands of people headed out early this morning to watch the sunrise over Stonehenge in celebration of the summer solstice. 6 6 6 Those who marked the year's longest day elsewhere experienced 18C temperatures in Salisbury and Greater London by 5am, according to the Met Office. The weather agency also confirmed that Yeovilton in Somerset and Crosby in Merseyside had the highest recorded overnight figures in England, both reaching 19.7C by 6am. The mercury in Cumbria and Lancashire also reached highs above 19C. Beaches, parks and pubs across the country will be packed as revellers look to lap up the sunshine and make the most of the warm weather. But an amber heat-health alert for all regions in England remains in place for the weekend. And, the Met Office has also warned of thunderstorms across northern parts of England today. A yellow thunderstorm weather warning is in place from Nottingham up to above Newcastle. It will come into force from 3pm and last until 4am on Sunday. The Met Office warned there could be "frequent lightning, large hail and gusty winds", along with a chance of flooding. Parts of eastern England could climb higher than the 32.2C seen on Thursday and become the hottest day of the year so far. Ireland to sizzle in 24C heat as heatwave arrives and Met Eireann reveal hottest areas Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said: "There are scattered thunderstorms coming through. "Some of the rain could be quite intense, and frequent lightning, hail, gusty winds and some heavy downpours, which we haven't seen for a while. "Some of the ground is quite hard at the moment, and when you get heavy rain hitting hard ground, it can cause surface water issues. "You might find surface water on the roads, drains finding it difficult to cope and a small chance of homes being flooded." An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK. Aidan McGovern, meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "At the moment, the temperatures will be highest towards the east, [with] lower temperatures in the west compared with Friday but still high humidity, so it's going to feel oppressive in many places, and [there is] always a chance of some showers developing as the day progresses, particularly towards the west. "Temperatures [will be] peaking at 31 to 33, or 34C, somewhere between London and Midlands and north-east England." Steve Cole, policy director at RoSPA, said: "Heat is no longer just a holiday perk - it's a growing public health risk. "We're seeing more frequent and intense heatwaves, both in the UK and globally, and the data shows a clear rise in heat-related illness and fatalities. "Warm weather can also be deceptive when it comes to going for a dip. "While the air may feel hot, water temperatures often remain dangerously cold, which can lead to cold-water shock, even in summer." Over the last few days, Brits have flocked to the seaside and rivers so they can take a quick dip to cool off. Others have been spotted sunbathing in parks instead and making the most of their lunch breaks. It comes as an amber heat health alert was been issued for the whole of England from 12pm on Thursday until 9am on Monday. The alert - a step up from the yellow heat health alert issued earlier this week - warned that "significant impacts are likely" across health and social care services because of high temperatures. One Royal Ascot spectator was taken to hospital on Thursday, with 42 others given medical attention on site for heat-related illness during the prestigious horse racing event. The UK's June temperature record stands at 35.6C, which was set in Southampton in 1976. Current forecasts suggest the record is unlikely to be broken this time - but it will come close. A warning against wildfires has also been issued by the Fire Brigade, as firefighters have responded to more than 500 across England and Wales this year so far. Five day weather forecast Today A warm, bright start but turning cloudier from the south through the morning. Scattered, showers spread across the southwest, moving northeastwards by the afternoon bringing a risk of heavy showers, thunderstorms, and hail to northern England and Wales later. Tonight Heavy showers and thunderstorms in the north gradually clear overnight. Mostly dry with clear spells elsewhere, although further heavy showers in the northwest by dawn. Feeling fresher in the west. Sunday Fresher for most with breezy westerly winds bringing sunshine and scattered showers, a few thunderstorms in the northwest. Drier and brighter in the southeast but staying warm and humid here. Outlook for Monday to Wednesday Breezy westerly winds continue to bring a mixture of sunshine and showers, these heaviest in the north and west. Near average temperatures, though feeling warm in the sunshine. Fresher nights. 6 6 6
