Met Office tells Brits to brace for 32c mini-heatwave this week in 'heat event'

04 September 2023 , 03:55

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Met Office tells Brits to brace for 32c mini-heatwave this week in 'heat event'

An Indian summer is well and truly on the cards as weather forecasters across the UK now expect temperatures to rise as high as 32C later this week.

The Met Office is predicting minimum temperatures of 28C across the UK from Monday, rising to the 30s on Wednesday and Thursday, and staying that way until Saturday. Hopes of an Indian summer have been fuelled by a "Spanish plume" bringing unseasonably warm air north towards the British Isles.

London and the south east could reach as high as 32C, while even northern England and parts of Scotland are expected to post temperatures of around 30C.

Weather maps for this week show a huge blast of warm air making its way over the UK (WXCharts)

In a video forecast shared on Twitter, Met Office forecaster Jonathan Vautrey said: "You've got to go to the back end of June for the last time we had 32 degrees Celsius in the United Kingdom. Temperatures are looking like they will peak on Wednesday and Thursday, and that's all because of how an area of high pressure is reorienting itself, shifting its way off the North Sea and continental Europe."

The weatherman went on to say that warm air will be dragged north from Spain and France by Wednesday or Thursday, adding to the balmy temperatures. He went on: "Both daytime and night-time temperatures will be on the rise, so it is certainly a noticeable heat event as we head over the next few days."

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

London is expected to sizzle in a 32C scorcher (PA)

Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon also told the Mirror how the ailing Cyclone Franklin across the pond could play a role in helping warm weather hit the UK. He said: “Franklin itself hit parts of America earlier this week but hasn’t been on land for a bit. It’s sat up in the Atlantic, a deep area of low pressure, and what these systems do is help to move air masses to the UK.

“This low pressure system is helping draw warmer air over the UK, the warmer continental air which will bring temperatures up to the mid-20s in parts of England and Wales. Initially, it’ll help develop the warmer conditions.” There is currently no suggestion of when the warmer weather will break and usual September conditions will return.

With the mercury expected to rise in the next few days, Brits have been advised to apply sunscreen and other UV protection, remain hydrated and stay indoors or in shade where possible.

Matt Clemenson