UK Heatwave Hopes Dashed: Cooler Summer Ahead?

For those in the UK anticipating a second heatwave following May's record-breaking temperatures, current forecasts suggest disappointment. Unsettled weather, including rain and showers, has persisted, with even snow reported in parts of Scotland. However, a shift is expected over the upcoming weekend as high pressure builds from the south, potentially raising temperatures above the seasonal average.

Temperatures are now likely to hover around the mid-twenties, with initial predictions of 30C appearing increasingly unlikely. The Met Office indicates that Saturday will offer settled, sunny spells in southern areas, reaching 22-23C, while northern regions might still experience cloud and rain early on. Sunday is forecast to be widely dry across the UK with further sunshine and rising temperatures, particularly in southern England where highs of 23-24C are possible.

This upcoming change is attributed to a shift in the jet stream, which has been driving unsettled Atlantic weather fronts. This follows a record-breaking May heatwave, where 26 May saw the hottest day on record for England and Wales, with temperatures reaching 35.1C in Kew Gardens and 32.9C in Cardiff.