After an extraordinary heatwave sweeping across the UK, temperatures are set to plunge dramatically, with some areas experiencing lows of just 5°C next week.
The UK recently endured a remarkable spell of hot weather, breaking long-standing temperature records. Twenty-three weather stations exceeded the previous May maximum temperature of 32.8°C—recorded back in 1922 and 1944—with Kew Gardens in Greater London soaring to 35.1°C on Tuesday, 26 May.
However, this Mediterranean-style warmth is now on the wane. The Met Office has announced that the heatwave will gradually ease throughout the week, giving way to cooler, more unsettled conditions by the weekend.
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Met Office Chief Forecaster Chris Bulmer explained, “The very hot weather is breaking down. From Friday into the weekend, a weak cold front will move across the UK, bringing fresher air.” He added that showers and thunderstorms may develop as the weather turns more changeable, with temperatures returning to seasonal averages by the weekend.
Forecast models from WXCharts indicate that next week’s peak temperatures will hover around the mid-teens Celsius across most regions. Notably, by 7 a.m. BST on Sunday, 7 June, temperatures could fall as low as 5°C in parts of Scotland, including the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, and Perth and Kinross.
Across Scotland and England, early morning lows are predicted to range between 7°C and 11°C, while Wales may see lows from 7°C to 10°C. Northern Ireland is expected to experience temperatures rising to between 8°C and 10°C in the mornings.
Despite these cooler starts, temperatures will warm up by the afternoon. By 1 p.m., highs will reach the mid-teens, and by 7 p.m. on Thursday, 11 June, southern England could enjoy temperatures climbing back into the low twenties Celsius. Areas such as the East Midlands, East of England, South East, and Greater London are likely to see the warmest conditions, with temperatures ranging from 11°C to 20°C elsewhere.
Looking ahead, the Met Office’s long-range outlook for early June suggests an increase in Atlantic weather systems bringing showers and periods of rain, particularly in western and northwestern regions. Southern and eastern areas are expected to experience drier conditions, with rain becoming less frequent as the month progresses.
Overall, temperatures will remain near normal for this time of year, with breezy conditions especially apparent along exposed western coasts.