Britain may be just weeks away from its first 30C-plus heatwave of the year, with meteorologists predicting a summer of unusually high temperatures. While the nation is currently enduring a late-spring cold snap, experts warn that a sizzling summer is on the horizon, with the potential for even higher temperatures as we head into July and August.
What’s Driving the Extreme Weather?
The Met Office’s three-month outlook for the summer suggests a 40% chance of hot weather, double the normal odds. This forecast has been influenced by climate change and the possibility of a ‘super El-Nino’, which could significantly warm the Pacific Ocean and impact weather patterns worldwide.
Meteorologist Jim Dale of British Weather Services believes temperatures could reach 40C again, with the potential to break records. He explained that if a heatwave in Spain or the continent shifts northwards, the UK could experience some of the highest temperatures on record, reports GBNews.
“If there is a heatwave over Spain and the Continent, all it would need is a push northwards for us to tap into these very high temperatures, and it is entirely possible we could reach or hit the record,” said Dale. He added that heat and humidity could be the defining features of the coming months, as temperatures in the UK are predicted to soar well above average.
El Nino and the Summer Outlook
El Nino events, which occur every two to three years, happen when sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific rise. These events significantly affect global weather patterns and are typically associated with colder-than-average conditions at the end of winter in the UK. However, experts believe this year’s El Nino could influence summer temperatures, with the potential to cause even higher-than-usual heatwaves.
AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok warned that sea surface temperatures are already rapidly changing, making it likely that an El Nino could begin as early as June. This could set the stage for more extreme weather across the globe, including in the UK, where summer temperatures are expected to rise.
Short-Term Cool Down Before the Heat
While a warm summer is on the horizon, the UK is currently experiencing a brief chilly break. Temperatures will dip to single figures in northern areas through the middle of the week, with the south hovering in the mid-teens. Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst advised that a colder northerly airflow will affect the UK for a short period but that milder air is expected to return toward the end of the week and into the weekend.
