The North East of England may be basking in warm sunshine this weekend, but residents can forget about officially experiencing a heatwave. The Met Office has confirmed that temperatures will not meet the necessary threshold to declare a heatwave in the region, despite pleasant conditions expected across the UK.
For a heatwave to be officially recognised, the Met Office requires at least three consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 27°C. In the North East, forecasters predict peak temperatures of 22-23°C over the weekend, making it unlikely for the area to reach heatwave status.
A more pronounced warming trend is expected in southern parts of England, where London and the South East are likely to see temperatures climb into the mid-to-high 20s Celsius. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will also enjoy milder conditions, though generally cooler than their English counterparts, with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 22°C.
The Met Office is urging people to make the most of the warmer weather responsibly. To stay safe, residents are advised to drink plenty of water, wear light clothing, and seek shade during the hottest parts of the day (usually between 11 am and 3 pm). While wind speeds will be generally light across the UK, coastal areas may experience moderate breezes up to 15 mph.
This spell of warmer weather follows a tumultuous start to summer for many regions. A more stable high-pressure system is driving sunnier spells and increased temperatures, but it seems extreme heat levels are out of reach – at least for now.