Temperatures are set to soar this week after a drizzly start to June, with temperatures reaching up to 29C by the end of the week.
After a cloudy start to this week, parts of the country could see scorching heat with potential thunderstorms as well.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a yellow heat health alert for the East Midlands, East of England, London and the South East, coming into force at 3pm on Wednesday until 8pm next Monday.
A yellow heat health alert means health and social services could be impacted by the temperature, with a greater risk to life of vulnerable people, increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm, and a chance that water‑related incidents may increase, including risks from cold‑water shock and drowning.
Skies are set to remain cloudy for many at the start of the week with some showers, but the temperature is expected to increase on a daily basis, bringing along brighter interludes.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster, Tom Crabtree, said: “This week’s contrasting weather of both heat, rain, and potential thunderstorms is a result of a low-pressure system influencing the UK from the northwest. The southerly flow stalls a front over the west of the UK whilst allowing temperatures to build in the southeast.
“Friday is set to be the warmest day of the week, but it’s important to note that peak temperatures could be impacted by cloud cover. Temperatures are likely to range from 26 to 28C, with the potential to approach 30C in parts of southeast England.
“Elsewhere temperatures will remain closer to average but could be warm at times in parts of Wales and the West Midlands. Of course, the picture for the weekend will become clearer closer to the time, so keep an eye on our forecasts as the week goes on.”
The week will start with warmer temperatures in the late teens across the north of England and Scotland, with cooler temperatures of 12C in the Highlands, before gradually increasing.
On Tuesday, London will see peaks of 25C with much of England experiencing temperatures in the early twenties. Manchester will see a warm 22C, with York not far behind at 20C. Those in south-west England and Wales will see cooler temperatures of 16 to 19C as the heat concentrates in the east of the country.
By Thursday and Friday, the mercury will hit the late twenties in the South East while much of the country will see more average temperatures around 20C.
Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick attributed the daily increase in temperature to a plume of high pressure building in the South East.
“The temperatures are going to be increasing day by day, especially across the South East,” she said in a forecast on Monday. “This is where high pressure is starting to build this week, and we start to bring in a slightly warmer plume of air here as well.”
Met Office five-day forecast
Monday
Sunny spells for many, with the risk of some showers moving north and eastwards. Feeling warm in the sunshine, though a touch cooler along the east coast. Some low cloud and coastal fog developing across south-west England.
Monday night
Cloud amounts increasing through the evening and overnight with showery rain in the North and West at times. Mostly dry in the South East, with clear spells. Winds staying light.
Tuesday
Often cloudy in the North and West, with patchy rain. Rain turning heavy through the evening. Drier and brighter elsewhere, with the best of the warm sunshine across south-east England.
Outlook for Wednesday to Friday
Rain clearing to sunshine and showers on Wednesday. The North West will see further rain at times through Thursday and Friday. Mostly dry towards the South East, turning very warm and humid here.
