UK weather: Maps turn red as Saharan plume heads for UK as temperatures rise again

After enjoying an unexpected ‘mini heatwave’ at the weekend, Britons are bracing for a drop in temperatures and the return of rain this week. However, it appears the warm spell was just a teaser as weather maps predict a rise in temperatures from May 23, with highs possibly reaching 22C.

The Midlands and North East England are forecast to enjoy the warmest conditions, with Yorkshire set to see peaks of 22C. London is also forecast to reach a high of 22C, while Northern Ireland could experience even warmer temperatures of up to 23C. Weather charts suggest that these favorable temperatures will continue into the weekend, accompanied by plenty of sunshine.

The Met Office’s extended forecast indicates that the heat will continue throughout the week, the Express reports. Last weekend, London and Cambridge emerged as some of the hottest places in Britain, prompting thousands of people to flock to beaches and parks to soak up the sun.

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Showers are forecast throughout the week, with the Ministry of Meteorology issuing alerts for potential flooding. Starting Wednesday, “thundershowers” are in play, especially Friday. Despite peak temperatures of 26C on Sunday, London is expected to cool to a low of 17C this week, with the north of England dropping to around 16C.

Two flood warnings are currently in place, along with 45 flood alerts warning of possible “travel disruption” in the coming days.

The Met Office’s long-term forecast

Friday 17 May – Sunday 26 May.

The UK is set for a changeable spell with showers developing across the country towards the end of the week and into the weekend. The heaviest showers and the greatest risk of thunderstorms are expected in southern parts.

Temperatures will range around average or slightly above average, but light winds will make sunnier areas feel warm. Over the weekend there are indications that the rain could start to ease from the north, with drier and more stable conditions likely to settle in for a while.

Confidence falls in the coming week as signals are unclear about how long the influence of higher pressure will last. After a potentially more settled period of weather, unsettled conditions are likely to return during the week with the wettest conditions in the west.

Above average temperatures are more likely than below.

Monday 27 May – Monday 10 June

Predictions for this period are poor and provide limited guidance beyond climatology. Weather conditions similar to those of the previous days are most likely to characterize this period until the end of May; a mixture of unsettled periods of rain and showers and set interludes in between.

By early June, the chances of above and below average precipitation are balanced. There is a slightly higher probability of above-average temperatures compared to below-average temperatures, meaning that the chance of hot spells, although still very small, is slightly higher than normal.