Temperatures are set to soar in the UK over the weekend as a ‘warm plume of air’ blows in from the south, the Met Office has said. The mercury could reach as high as 30C in some areas - although thundery showers are also expected.
The high pressure area which has been responsible for the settled weather we’ve been experiencing over the past couple of weeks will drift upwards towards Scandinavia. This will allow warm air from the south to move in at the end of the week.
According to the Met Office the transition will begin late on Friday for those in the southwest, with warm air from the south increasing the chances of some thundery showers in parts of Devon and Cornwall. The risk of thundery outbreaks increases and spreads further north and east through the weekend, with the possibility of hail and gusty winds possible in some places.
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Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Harris said: “Temperatures will rise later this week and into the weekend, with a plume of warm air being drawn in from the south. Temperatures over the weekend could peak around 30°C in some parts of England and remain well above average during night-times.”
“Coupled with the rise in temperatures is an increase in the likelihood of some potentially heavy and thundery showers, which could bring some localised disruption in the far southwest from as early as late Friday, but more likely more widely into the weekend, though it is not possible to be definitive about exact details this far from the potential event.”
The Met Office said that Storm Oscar, which has brought heavy showers and strong winds to the Canary Islands and the Azores, wull not be impacting the UK. However the storm will help to drive the warm air into southern areas.
East and northeast Scotland are likely to be the main exception to the change in conditions, with an easterly breeze possibly keeping temperatures more subdued with cloud likely to persist for some. Some coastal areas will be cooler than the peak figures further inland, with sea breezes preventing the highest temperatures building on immediate coastlines.
A yellow heat health alert has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “In the coming days we are likely to experience our first sustained period of hot weather of the year so far, so it’s important that everyone ensures they keep hydrated and cool while enjoying the sun.
“Forecasted temperatures this week will primarily impact those over the age of 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
“If you have friends, family or neighbours who you know are more vulnerable to the effects of hot weather, it is important you check in on them and ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice.”
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