UK hot weather: Maps show exact date 24C summer will start as blistering Med heat to hit
Britons waiting for a baking hot summer might have to hold on until before firing up the BBQ and whipping out the suncream.
A sizzling summer is on the way for Britain, but we might have to wait almost until the end of June to enjoy it, new weather maps have revealed.
Scorching temperatures of 24C will bake the country on June 23 as the UK benefits from the knock-on effects of a plume of heat spreading across the English Channel from France.
The welcome blast of balmy conditions looks set to arrive after the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year, is marked on June 20.
Maps from Netweather.tv show the southeast of England is set to expect the lion's share of higher temperatures, with London and Kent roasting in the highest temperatures.
Most of the rest of the UK will see the mercury hovering around the 20C mark, but the far north of Scotland could be more than 10 degrees lower than London.
Writing for Netweather.tv, forecaster Ian Simpson said there was a "substantial chance" of the nation experiencing "hot dry sunny weather" at the end of June.
He said: "It looks likely that southern parts of the UK have a substantial chance of experiencing warm/hot dry sunny weather during the last third of June, with signs of a strengthening Azores High potentially throwing up ridges into southern parts of Britain in particular.
"However, for northern Britain, there is a greater chance of a predominantly changeable westerly pattern becoming established.
"A pattern shift in late June would likely lead to some relaxation of the heat over south-eastern Europe while increasing the likelihood of hot weather at times in central and western Europe."
Pubs and football fans will be hoping the warm weather does arrive in time for England and Scotland international matches in the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament kicking off this month.
England's group games fall on June 16, 20 and 25, and Scotland will play on June 14, 19 and 23.
A long-range forecast from the Met Office appears to offer a mixed picture from Monday, June 24 until Monday, July 8.
The National Weather Agency said: "All areas can expect to see some spells of drier, sunnier weather, but there will also be showers or longer spells of rain at times. Temperatures are most likely to be close to, or above, climatological average."
Met Office five-day forecast
Today:
Overnight rain clearing out during the morning into the North Sea and sunny spells and showers throughout the day. Rain showers will be heaviest in the east with a risk of thunder and hail. Warm in sheltered sunshine, but cool in the breeze.
Tonight:
Showers will linger on northern and eastern coasts, but turning drier in land with some evening sunshine. Cool overnight, especially under clear skies.
Tuesday:
Sunny spells and showers, but showers will be generally lighter than on Monday. Western parts of the country will be mostly dry. Staying cool for the time of year.
Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:
Staying cool with a mixture of sunny spells and showers over the next few days. Showers will turn lighter by Wednesday before an organised band of clouds and rain arrives Thursday.
