Temperatures are expected to rise again across the UK next week, with some parts forecast to see the mercury climb into the thirties hot on the heels of the scorching June heatwave
The North East has already seen sweltering temperatures this summer(Image: ChronicleLive)
The North East is set to see temperatures rise again following a cooler week that brought thunderstorms to the region. The Met Office has forecast another hot spell for the UK that could see parts of England surpass 30C.
The North East will see highs of 21-22C this weekend, although breezy conditions are likely to make it feel fresher, with showers expected on both Saturday and Sunday. This wet weather is set to continue into early next week with more spells of rain in parts on Monday and Tuesday, before Wednesday sees a shift towards sunnier and drier weather.
Highs of 25C are forecast in Newcastle on Wednesday, with Thursday (July 9) currently expected to be the warmest day of the week where the mercury will climb to 26C in the city – surpassing the heatwave threshold of 25C. Met Office weather maps show highs of between 22C in northernmost Northumberland and 26C in County Durham on Thursday afternoon, accompanied by largely dry and sunny conditions.
Did you know you can make ChronicleLive a preferred source of North East news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here.
The Met Office said in an update on Friday: “Looking ahead, inland temperatures are forecast to rise again next week, with parts of England potentially reaching low 30s in the southeast. While the likelihood of reaching the extreme temperatures and humidity levels observed last week is currently low, a renewed period of warm weather is in the forecast.”
It comes after England recorded its warmest June on record last month, following the “exceptional” heatwave that sparked a rare Red Warning from the Met Office for extreme heat on three consecutive days. The highest temperature ever recorded in June in the UK was reached on June 26, hitting 37.7C in Norfolk.
This heatwave has had an impact on the seas around the UK, which are currently experiencing “moderate to severe” marine heatwave conditions and are on average 2C warmer than usual. This means that the waters off the English and Welsh coasts are currently between 15 and 19C.
If temperatures rise to heatwave levels again next week, the sea surface will have limited opportunity to cool. “This raises the possibility that the current marine heatwave could intensify further, potentially reaching Category 4, classified as ‘extreme’ – a level rarely recorded in UK waters,” the Met Office explained.
However, Holly Clements, Met Office Head of Warnings and Guidance, said: “It is vital for the public to understand that although sea-surface temperatures are currently well above average in many coastal locations, this does not avoid the risk of cold-water shock.
“With warmer weather approaching, and even with marine heatwave conditions, it’s important to remember that the water around the UK is still cold. Entering it unexpectedly can lead to cold-water shock.”
