Britain to be hotter than the Med as 1,200-mile ‘heat bubble’ triggers 30c sizzler

After a chilly start to the month following May’s record heatwave, the mercury is set to climb to 26C tomorrow (Tue), 28C on Thursday and 29C on Friday.

Temperatures in the UK are set to shoot up yet again, with Britain forecast to be even hotter than the Mediterranean over the next few days and weeks.

The incoming heatwave, triggered by a 1200 mile continental “heat bubble” moving across Europe towards the British Isles, is predicted to see temperatures in excess of 30C, news that will no doubt excite sun-loving Brits.

The warm spell comes after a fairly mild start to May, with a uptick in temperatures predicted from as early as this Tuesday.Forecasters are expecting things to only get hotter from there, with the mercury set to climb from 26C to 29-30C by Friday.

It means the UK will be hotter than 28C Terrasini, Sicily, Italy, thanks to the mass of hot air blowing in from Europe, boosting pub garden and outdoor fan zones for the World Cup.

While the south of the country will remain largely dry until the weekend, the north is set to be hit by spells of rain, although temperatures will still be in the low to mid 20s, so no need to pull out the puffer jacket.

Thunderstorms could however threaten flood risks in the South on Saturday and Sunday, with the heavy rain possibly making an appearance further north too.

Netweather forecaster Nick Finnis said: “The south of the UK has potential to tap into the heat dome over mainland Europe, which is rising to the mid-30s in France. But there is also the potential for thunderstorms in Britain.”

A Met Office forecaster said: “It will potentially turn very warm, if not rather hot and humid, from midweek – especially in the South-East. There is the chance of thunderstorms developing.

“The North and West will have rain at times, although hot conditions in the South could return north later, with a thunderstorm risk.”

Next week is due highs around 27C daily with some showers, and weathermen backed a three-month bake until September.

The Met Office long-range outlook says a hotter-than-usual summer is much more likely than cooler-than-average.

In a post on X, they wrote: “Generally warm this week but potentially turning very warm, if not rather hot and humid across parts of England

Especially in the southeast from midweek, though it won’t be all sunshine, with the chance of thunderstorms developing.”

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