At least 13 counties across the country could see temperatures reachin 31C or more
Temperatures in the UK could rise above the official heatwave threshold for three days, according to latest weather models.
There is an increased chance of heatwaves over the coming months, according to Met Office weather forecasters, who say another may on the cards following the scorching hot spell last month which saw temperatures rise to 35.1C – the hottest ever temperature recorded in May.
The GFS weather model shows temperatures beginning to rise on June 17, bringing pleasant highs of 28C to the south-east, 27C in East Anglia, 26C in the north-west and Midlands, and 24C in North Wales.
Scotland and Northern Ireland should be a few notches cooler, the data suggests.
Maps show temperatures could then hit the 30C mark in the south-east on June 18, with 29C on the cards as far north as Yorkshire.
Parts of Northern Ireland could even hit 26C, with Wales also firmly in the mid-to-high 20s, reports the Mirror.
The warmest conditions are expected on June 19. The GFS model shows highs of 30C or more are possible across vast swathes of England, with the mercury potentially even rising to 27C in parts of southern Scotland.
Once again the south-east of England is expected to be the hottest region, with 32C possible there.
In total, the data shows 13 counties could see highs of 31C or more on June 19. They are spread across England.
UK counties facing 31C or more
- Yorkshire
- Lancashire
- Cheshire
- Nottinghamshire
- Warwickshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Bedfordshire
- Hertfordshire
- Essex
- Buckinghamshire
- Berkshire
- Surrey
- Kent
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Weather models show UK faces new heatwave
If the data shown by this GFS model run were to come to fruition, it would constitute another official heatwave – at least in some parts of the country.
An official heatwave is declared when temperatures rise above the heatwave threshold for three consecutive days.
The heatwave threshold varies from 25C to 28C across different UK counties. It sits at 28C in the south-east – where temperatures tend to be higher – and drops to 25C the further away from the south-east you go.
This GFS model data shows temperatures peaking at 28C, 30C and then 32C in the same areas from June 17 to June 19 – meaning it would be an official heatwave.
Met Office weather forecast for June
The Met Office’s latest forecast for the second half of this month suggests southern regions could soon face “hot” conditions.
However, “thunderstorms” are also on the cards.
The forecast (covering June 18 to July 2) states: “The start of the period is likely to be relatively settled, with high pressure in the vicinity of the UK bringing drier conditions to most parts of the UK.
“However some showers or spells of rain are still possible. Winds will mostly be light with temperatures probably above normal.
“Towards the end of June, low pressure may begin to have more of an influence, especially across the south where heavy showers and thunderstorms become more probable.
“It may also become hot in parts of the south.”
