The Met Office projects a significant increase in temperatures reaching up to 35C on Monday and Tuesday, marking a potential record-breaking heatwave. While the current hottest day of the year is anticipated today, Monday is expected to surpass this record, possibly becoming the hottest May day ever recorded.
Following suit, Tuesday is expected to maintain high temperatures, with the peak reaching 30C in southern regions on Wednesday and 28C on Thursday. However, indications suggest a cooling trend on the horizon as the ECMWF model forecasts struggling temperatures around 10C in various parts of the UK on June 3, with potential morning temperatures dropping to 0C in parts of Scotland.
Minimum temperature readings suggest that only eastern, central, and southern England, along with South Wales, may experience double-digit temperatures at 6 am. Temperature anomaly maps for early June depict areas of deep blue across the UK, indicating temperatures significantly below the average for this time of year.
While the Met Office’s 35C forecast for Monday and Tuesday could set a new record for May’s all-time temperatures, surpassing the current 32.8C record. Temperatures exceeding 28C since Friday are expected to persist until at least Thursday, potentially leading to a prolonged heatwave.
An official heatwave is declared when temperatures surpass the heatwave threshold for three consecutive days, varying between 25C and 28C across different UK regions. The Met Office’s Monday forecast describes a mix of cloudy conditions in northwest Scotland with intermittent rain, while most areas are expected to be sunny and hot, especially in the south but cooler along the coasts.
Looking ahead to Tuesday through Thursday, the forecast remains consistent with hot, sunny, and mostly dry conditions, well above average temperatures. Thursday may see some patchy clouds and the possibility of isolated showers.