A day at the beach may be on the cards as Met Office say more ‘hot spells’ could be on the way
If what they say is true, then you had best get planning your trip down the Island!(Image: Richard Swingler)
The UK has so far seen three heatwaves this summer – and the Met Office says more “hot spells” could be on the way.
The latest heatwave saw temperatures soar past 30°C in parts of the UK, with Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales recording the hottest day of the year on July 12. Heavy rain and thunderstorms then brought an end to the fine weather, with the Met Office issuing a number of weather warnings across the country, right in time for the start of the school summer holidays in Wales.
Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said in a YouTube video on July 22: “It looks like warmer air is coming into western parts of the UK [on July 24]. The cold pool is moving into central Europe and warmer air is starting to appear to the south west. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here
“Across the UK we’ve got higher temperatures moving in from the south west and a ridge of high pressure building in at this point [on July 27].
“That is going to lead to a significant change once again across the UK as we go into the weekend.
“By Friday, many places will be drier. The best of the sunshine on Friday is towards the east and southeast, with 27°C possible. Still some cloud coming into the west and northwest.”
The Met Office has since updated their long-range forecast to say that there is a high chance of some “very warm or hot spells” developing later in August, and that the month will see the return of above average temperatures.
A spokesperson for the Met Office issued the following prediction dated August 7 to August 21: “A changeable westerly pattern most likely gives way to high pressure from the southwest.
“Whilst spells of rain or showers mixed in with some drier, brighter days will probably continue at first, dry and settled weather becomes more likely as we head further into August.
“Temperatures will likely be near or above average overall. There is a chance of some very warm or hot spells developing later in August if high pressure wins out for a decent stretch of time, especially in the south and east.”
However, the Met Office cannot predict heatwaves too far in advance, and any specific predictions for mid-August would need to be monitored closer to the time.
Though it is looking likely, as the forecaster’s most recent three-month outlook predicted that meteorological summer – which runs from June 1 to August 31 – is twice as likely to be hotter than normal in 2025.
Let’s hope the hot weather is worth the wait, as the rest of July and the beginning of August are not looking as promising, with “average temperatures” on the way.
A Met Office spokesperson said: “July 28 to August 6: A weather regime dominated by westerly winds is likely at first. This will likely bring rain and showers at times interspersed with periods of more settled weather.
“The north and west will most likely be the focus of any wetter and windier weather, where there may be some prolonged spells of rain at times.
“The highest chance of drier and sunnier weather is expected to the east of hills, and across south and eastern areas. Later in the period if high pressure builds into the southwest settled weather may develop there too.
“It will be breezy at times, especially in further north. Temperatures are most likely to be near to average or slightly above average for the time of year.”