Met Office heatwave verdict as UK temperatures to soar in days
Warmer weather and sunshine are set to return to the UK in a matter of days.
The Met Office has given its verdict on a heatwave possibly hitting the UK, with the latest weather forecasts showing soaring temperatures hitting in a matter of days. As summer draws nearer, much of the UK has seen temperatures drop, with the mercury likely to remain below the mid-May average this week and feeling even colder in a brisk northerly breeze.
The national forecaster says a northerly airflow is currently keeping the UK in a notably cool airmass. However, the end may be in sight, with longer spells of warmer weather widely forecast across the UK in just over a week's time. Brits will be relieved to hear that more settled weather is predicted for the end of May and the beginning of June.
Read more: Met Office map shows 24 counties battered by rain on Thursday
Read more: UK weather maps turn red as 26C 'heatwave' roasts Britain – 19 hottest cities
WXCHARTS weather maps have turned a burnt orange for next Saturday (May 23). The for 6pm show that those in eastern and southeastern England look likely to bask in the warmest temperatures.
The capital is set to see the hottest conditions, with temperatures forecast to reach a sizzling 27C high. Parts of Hampshire, Surrey and the south West could also experience similar highs.
Wales, along with southern, western and central parts of the country, is expected to enjoy highs of 23C–25C.
The Midlands could also reach around 25C, while Essex is set to see temperatures peak at about 23C.
The warm weather will be widespread with northern England predicted highs of 25C. Even Scotland will get to enjoy the sunny weather with the Scottish Highlands likely to reach a warm 24C, the west of the country will be just a degree cooler.
Will a heatwave actually develop?
The ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) is currently forecasting highs of around 26C in the UK on the evening of May 22, with the warmest weather anticipated just south of London.
Temperatures could also reach 23–24C across parts of Wales, central England and the east.
However, The Met Office is more cautious and will not make such detailed predictions more than five days in advance. It's forecast for May 18-27 warnes of periods of rain to begin with, some of which could turn heavy.
But on a positive note, its suggests a warm spell later in the period, with temperatures recovering and conditions turning "rather warm", particularly in southern areas.
Meanwhile, BBC weather says that thanks to high pressure, the UK could see "warmer-than-average conditions".
Their monthly outlook reads: "It is again possible that the centre of high pressure could be positioned to the north for a while, with some or most of the UK perhaps cooling down a little for a couple of days.
"However, high pressure could also expand across the UK from the southwest, delivering warmer-than-average conditions again by the end of May."
