Summer 40C heatwave claim debunked by Met Office

THE Met Office has played down rumours that the UK is set for temperatures of 40C this summer - describing them as “misleading”. The Exeter-based forecaster’s response on Twitter comes after recent media headlines and reports about potential record-breaking temperatures.

It adds that it is too soon to predict the highest temperature the UK will see this summer. The Met Office’s most recent long-range forecast runs until May 18.

The forecaster took to social media to “#FactCheck” some recent reports suggesting the UK was set for a scorching summer. It referenced its own forecasts as a reliable source of information.

The Met Office tweeted: “There are a few misleading headlines around about heatwaves at the moment. Here’s our #FactCheck on the current forecast.

“And a reminder that it’s not possible to forecast the highest temperature this summer at this range.”

The Met Office UK long-range weather forecastFrom April 24 to May 3, the Met Office says: “Sunny spells and scattered wintry showers early next week, most frequent in the north and perhaps the east and still with a good deal of dry weather. Probably cloudier in the south and southwest, with some rain at times.

“Cold for many with overnight frost, temperatures nearer average in the south and southwest.

“Cloudier conditions along with outbreaks of rain across or near the south and southwest will likely make gradual progress northeastwards across the country during late April but at an uncertain rate.

“This will see temperatures eventually back to around average for the time of year.”

From May 4 to May 18, it adds: “A mixture of settled and unsettled spells are expected throughout the period. Temperatures likely to trend upwards through the period, with above average temperatures more likely than below average temperatures during early and mid-May.”