Met Office reacts to heatwave claims

Forecasters have poured cold water on reports the UK could be braced for series of summer heatwaves. Met Office experts have put a dampener on hopes of a return to the sweltering temperatures of recent days. Meteorologist Leon Brown, of The Weather Company, reportedly said the country could be in line for repeated volleys of baking heat – with highs expected to exceed the 32.7C scorcher of last week – and the next blast of heat arriving within weeks.

He said: “More heatwaves imported from the Continent to the UK are forecast this summer, each reaching at least 28C – and likely higher – and each lasting several days.” The forecaster predicted further hot spells were possible towards the end of July, with others possible in August and maybe even September. However, the UK Met Office sought to cool expectations with expert Becky Mitchell claiming it was not expecting especially hot weather at this stage. Temperatures could reach around 26C on Thursday, before cooling as the weekend progresses.

The Met Office forecaster added: “It looks like the start of Glastonbury, particularly Wednesday or Thursday, is likely to be dry hot and sunny. For anyone setting up your tent it’s likely to be quite good weather. “Heading into the weekend from Friday onwards it looks like we could see more in the way of showers, probably some sunny spells and showers.”

Brian Gaze, of The Weather Outlook, agreed with the forecast. He said: “Wednesday should be a fine day in most areas, although there could be rain in the far north. Generally warm and probably very warm in the south.

“Thursday is expected to be dry, sunny and very warm in much of the UK. However, there could be outbreaks of rain in the far north and thundery showers possibly develop in the south.” He added: Friday is looking quite mixed.

Showery rain pushes eastwards, but there should be a reasonable amount of dry and sunny periods too. Warmest in the south and east.” Temperatures are likely to rise again in early to mid-July, according to long-range forecasts.

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