Met Office warns of ‘uncomfortable’ humidity as temperatures soar – but thunderstorms bringing 40mm of rain in HOURS are set to strike from tomorrow
Britain is set for a week of weather extremes as temperatures rocket towards 29C before “intense” thunderstorms unleash torrential downpours that could dump more than a month’s worth of rain in just hours.
The Met Office has warned that a “plume of warm air” surging northward from Iberia and France will send the mercury soaring by Friday – potentially triggering official heatwave conditions across swathes of the Midlands, northern England and Wales.
But the scorching conditions come with a sting in the tail, as meteorologists predict severe thunderstorms could strike as early as tomorrow evening, bringing “frequent lightning” and rainfall so heavy it could cause flash flooding.
Heatwave Alert as Temperatures Set to Soar
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mike Silverstone revealed: “As temperatures rise this week, it is possible heatwave thresholds could be reached in some parts of the UK, particularly the northwest Midlands, northwest England and northeast Wales.
However, he cautioned that cloud cover could prevent some areas from reaching the magic three-day threshold needed to officially declare a heatwave.
The highest temperatures are expected in southeast and central England, with the mercury climbing to 27C on Wednesday and Thursday before potentially hitting 29C by Friday.
‘Uncomfortable’ Nights Ahead
In a stark warning to millions of Britons, forecasters say this week’s heat will feel dramatically different from the glorious sunshine enjoyed during the UK’s record-breaking spring.
“This warm spell will feel different to the fine weather we experienced in May as the humidity will be much higher, making it feel more uncomfortable,” Silverstone warned.
Additionally, while in May the nights were still fairly cool, overnight temperatures this week are forecast to remain fairly warm, which can disrupt people’s sleep.
The sticky, oppressive conditions will be a far cry from the dry heat that saw Spring 2025 officially crowned as both the warmest AND sunniest on record since measurements began.
Thunder and Lightning Set to Strike
But just as Britons dust off their barbecues and reach for the sun cream, Mother Nature is preparing to unleash her fury.
Heavy, thundery showers will move in through Wednesday evening and overnight from the southwest, with some western areas potentially seeing 20-40mm of rain over just a few hours as these intense downpours move through to the northeast.
Frequent lightning” is forecast for some areas as the storms sweep across the country.
Silverstone didn’t mince words about the severity of the incoming weather: “After largely benign weather early in the week, some intense, thundery showers will move in on Wednesday evening.
Flash Flood Fears
The intensity of the predicted rainfall has sparked concerns about potential disruption, with the Met Office warning that thunderstorm warnings could be issued imminently.
“The intense rainfall could see 20-40mm accumulating over just a few hours, which could cause some disruption,” Silverstone cautioned.
To put that in perspective, 40mm of rain is more than half the average rainfall for the entire month of June in many parts of the UK.
While there are no severe weather warnings issued at the moment, it is possible thunderstorm warnings may be issued this week,” the forecaster added.
A Week of Two Halves
The dramatic weather swing begins today with rain and showers across the northern half of the UK easing through Monday night, leaving a drier day on Tuesday with spells of sunshine across much of the country by afternoon.
Wednesday itself will be a largely fine and dry day for much of the UK, with just the southwest of England, Northern Ireland and western Wales perhaps under cloud – but by evening, all hell could break loose.
The thunderstorms and showers are forecast to move north and east through Thursday, with a small reprieve on Friday before another band moves in from the southwest bringing more rain lasting into the early hours of Saturday.
Record-Breaking Spring Sets Stage for Wild Weather
The volatile conditions come hot on the heels of an extraordinary spring that rewrote the record books.
Spring 2025 has broken historical climate records, marking an unprecedented season of warmth and sunshine across the UK, with the UK and all four nations recording their warmest spring for mean temperature since the series began in 1884.
With 653.3 hours of sunshine – 43% above average – Spring 2025 has outshone all previous springs since records began in 1910.
But the exceptional weather also left the UK parched, with Spring 2025 ranking as the sixth driest spring since records began in 1836, with just 128.2mm of rainfall – approximately 40% below the long-term average.
Climate Change Fingerprints
Experts say the extreme weather swings are bearing the hallmarks of climate change.
Met Office Scientist Emily Carlisle noted: “The UK’s climate continues to change. What’s particularly notable about Spring 2025 is the combination of record warmth and sunshine, alongside very low rainfall.”
“This spring shows some of the changes we’re seeing in our weather patterns, with more extreme conditions, including prolonged dry, sunny weather, becoming more frequent.”
What to Expect Where You Live
ENGLAND: Southeast and central regions will see the highest temperatures, potentially reaching 29C by Friday. The northwest, particularly around Manchester and Liverpool, could officially enter heatwave territory if temperatures remain elevated for three consecutive days.
WALES: Northern Wales is among the areas most likely to experience heatwave conditions, though western coastal areas may see more cloud cover and earlier arrival of thunderstorms.
SCOTLAND: While escaping the worst of the heat, Scotland won’t avoid the storms, with heavy rain and thunder expected to sweep northward from Thursday.
NORTHERN IRELAND: Likely to see cloudier conditions throughout the week, with thunderstorms arriving earlier than eastern regions.
Stay Safe in the Storms
As Britain prepares for its weather rollercoaster, the Met Office is urging people to stay alert for weather warnings and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
With the potential for flash flooding, frequent lightning strikes, and the challenges of high humidity combined with warm overnight temperatures, this week promises to test the resilience of a nation still basking in memories of its record-breaking spring.
One thing’s for certain – it’s going to be a week to remember for weather watchers across the UK.
