After a remarkable spell of scorching temperatures, the UK is now set to experience a sharp drop in temperatures, with forecasts predicting lows as chilly as 5°C next week. This marks the end of an intense heatwave that saw numerous regions across the country break long-standing records.
In recent days, many areas faced genuine heatwave conditions. The Met Office reported that 23 weather stations surpassed the previous UK May temperature record of 32.8°C, which had stood since 1922 and 1944. Notably, temperatures soared to 35.1°C at Kew Gardens in Greater London on May 26.
However, the Mediterranean-style warmth is drawing to a close. The Met Office updated that the heatwave would gradually lose intensity, transitioning into more unsettled and cooler weather by the weekend.
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Met Office Chief Forecaster Chris Bulmer explained, “We’re starting to see this spell of very hot weather break down. Fresher conditions will arrive from Friday into the weekend as a weak cold front sweeps southeast, becoming established across most of the UK by Saturday.”
With the easing heat, the weather will become more changeable, bringing potential showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures by the weekend are expected to return to levels closer to the seasonal average, accompanied by rainfall extending into early next week.
Forecasts from WXCharts indicate that peak temperatures will largely remain in the mid-teens Celsius across much of the UK. By early Sunday, June 7, some areas in Scotland near the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, and Perth and Kinross could see temperatures plunge to as low as 5°C.
Daytime highs on that Sunday are predicted to range between 7°C and 11°C across Scotland and England, and 7°C to 10°C in Wales, with Northern Ireland expected to see temperatures between 8°C and 10°C. Yet by Thursday, June 11, temperatures are set to climb back up, reaching the mid-teens by early afternoon and hovering around 21–22°C in southern England by evening.
The warmest spots are anticipated in the East Midlands, East of England, South East, and Greater London, while the rest of the country experiences milder temperatures ranging from about 11°C to 20°C.
Looking ahead to the first week of June, the Met Office’s long-range outlook forecasts the arrival of Atlantic weather systems from the west, bringing spells of showers and rain. Drier conditions are expected to be more prevalent in the south and east, while the west and northwest may see more frequent rainfall, albeit with some dry intervals.
Temperatures are predicted to stay near normal overall, with the warmest conditions likely across eastern areas. The outlook also notes breezy conditions, especially along exposed western coasts.