Where and when will be hot for the end of June here in the UK? The peak of the heat is still to come for the UK as June ends and records fall across Europe.
Heatwave conditions have taken hold over Europe with June records falling and the UK is already beginning to feel the heat for the end of the week and will be subjected to the really humid air on Saturday. The June UK record is 35.6 from the summer of 1976 (recorded at Southampton). Camden, London also reached the same value back in 1957.
France has just had it's hottest June day with 42.3C being recorded on the 27th, 108F. Germany and Poland had temperatures over 38C on Thursday 26th June, breaking their June records and putting that heat into perspective, 38.5C is our UK all time (not just June) temperature record, from August 2003.
For us in the UK, we had temperatures in the mid 20sC this week varying from warm humid air to bright sunshine but with a cool breeze off the North Sea. The peak of the heat will be on Saturday for inland eastern/SE England with the top temperatures forecast to be around 34C (93F). Friday sees the heat further west with top temperatures around 30C forecast for the West Country or western Wales. A sweltering sunny Glastonbury this year.
There are strict conditions for observing air temperature values, in the shade, clear airflow, certain height above the ground. So don't worry about what your car or phone sensor is saying.
Sea surface temperatures SSTs aren’t that high around the UK in June. So, for anywhere with a breeze off the sea, it does feel cooler, some might say more comfortable. Overnight and first thing in the morning, this air flow is laden with low cloud, but the sun soon works on this inland, 'burning it back to the coast'.
Thursday
We can see spots on the east coast staying cooler, whereas western Britain is well up into the 20sC. Click on the image to see current temps.
Friday
Highland Scotland will see high 20sC, western Wales and the West Country also with 30C possible. 31.2C was recorded near to the Glastonbury site in 2017, seen as the highest festival value. Could be close to that this year. It looks very gusty Thursday into Friday, so any spot to the lee of high ground (like the Mendips) could do well.
By Saturday the winds will swing around to the south, so the cool feed stops, and more heat and humidity is pumped up from the hot continent. A cold front out in the Atlantic will edge across the UK and eventually clear out the hot, humid air bringing a refreshing change for Sunday. Although a thundery breakdown is not forecast, there could be some hefty showers, maybe thunderstorms over Scotland on Saturday as the front hits up against the very warm air.
How you feel in the heat will be different to the next person but in the more humid air inland, especially on Saturday, care is needed. There will be high UV, air pollution levels will be rising, High pollen, the heat and humidity does cause extra stress and strain on humans and animals. Just factor the conditions into your plans, prepare before going out.
European countries are dealing with temperatures near or into the low 40sC now. Hot for the Women’s World Cup matches as France is expected to break its June temperature record. Our warm spell will be over quickly enough, but southern Europe keeps the heat, especially the Iberian peninsula (away from the north).
The UK and northern Europe do cool down next week as a high pressure to the NW draws down fresher air from the north, all ready for those starting school holidays at the beginning of July. Too far ahead for those breaking up later on in July.
UV, just slap on the sunscreen.
Air pollution monitoring, sources and effects.
Heat Health warnings from Public Health England
