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14th May 2022

UK weather: Brits could enjoy hottest day of the year today, says Met Office

April Curtin

It looks like this is the calm before the storm

Today could be the hottest day of the year, according to Met Office, with temperatures forecast to reach highs of 24C in some parts of the UK.

Most of the nation is set to enjoy a dry day, with plenty of warm sunshine and light winds.

Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said Saturday could see “16-19C widely – with 24C the possible high in the South East and that would make it the warmest day of the year so far”.

Be sure to make the most of the glorious weather in the day – the warm air is likely to lead to heavy showers and even thunderstorms later on.

McGivern said: “By Saturday evening, those showers would be making an appearance into the South West, spreading quite widely into southern parts of England and south Wales. In some places, it would just be a spell of rain but for central and southern England and the south coast there is the risk of some heavy downpours, thunderstorms and frequent lightning.”

Temperatures are forecast to be above-average in most areas of the UK next week – with parts of the South East potentially reaching highs of 27C. Met Office spokesman Richard Miles said that “at the moment Tuesday looks like being the warmest day of the week”.

Though sunbathers shouldn’t get too excited, as the hot air could result in more heavy showers and thunderstorms, particularly in the north and west.

Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said: “The plume of warm air we have been expecting from the south will bring higher temperatures across the whole country over the next week.

“However, it looks like the effects from the Atlantic lows will prevent sustained high pressure building from the east.

“This means that while we might see some warm – and in places very warm – days, overall the next week will feel more like what we would expect of a warm spell in May, with some heavy showers around, rather than hot summery weather.”

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