Feeling hot, hot, hot... and it’ll get warmer!
BRITAIN can look forward to a barbecue summer, with four months of hotter-than-average weather lasting until September, according to the Met Office.
Thousands flocked to beaches yesterday as temperatures hit 75F (24C) on the hottest day of the year so far.
The mercury is set to rise even higher today and could reach 80F by Tuesday, although storms could spread to the South later today before moving north.
But much hotter conditions are on the way, with sizzling 88F summer heatwaves as air from the Sahara drifts in.
This will bring cheer not only to those planning to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at the start of next month, but also tennis fans looking forward to Wimbledon – and Glastonbury, one of many festivals and events being held for the first time for three years.
The Met Office says it is four times more likely to be much hotter than expected than much colder, during the three-month period until the start of August.
The Met Office computer forecast model shows there is a 60 to 80 per cent probability of above average temperatures for the UK across the three months from the start of June to the start of September. Below average rainfall is also favoured by the Met Office, with a reduced chance of 15 per cent of wetter than usual conditions in the period to the start of August.
Brian Gaze, a forecaster for The Weather Outlook, said: “The Met Office seasonal forecast model shows temperatures likely to be above average into summer.
“Heat is due at times from North Africa.
“And there are also signs of below normal rainfall, although there is less confidence in forecasts for rainfall than temperatures during summer months.”
The Met Office outlook to the start of August, being shared with councils, businesses and transport chiefs, said: “The chance of this three-month period being hot is higher than normal.
“Impacts from heatwaves are more likely than usual. Predictions are consistent in suggesting an increase in the likelihood of temperatures being above average overall.
“And there is a slight reduction in the likelihood of a wet threemonth period.”
Met Office forecaster Andy Page said: “The plume of warm air from the South is bringing higher temperatures, with the effects from Atlantic low pressure meaning very warm days, with some heavy showers.”