‘Fiery Friday’ could be hottest June day EVER say forecasters with temperatures soaring towards the 96F record as Met Office issues heat alert
- The UK temperature record for June of 96F (35.6C), set in 1957 and 1976, could be under threat this Friday
- Forecasts are suggesting southern parts of England could see the mercury rise to a sweltering 96.8F (36C)
- People are being warned to be mindful of the heat and the impact it could have the elderly and pet animals
- It comes as a weather system draws a plume of hot air from Spain up north towards the United Kingdom
Forecasters are warning that the UK could see its hottest ever June day this week as temperatures soar towards a record 96F (35.6C) on Friday.
The mercury looks set to power past 86F (30C) as the summer heat finally arrives, with some models predicting that some parts of southern and eastern England could break records for this time of year.
A plume of hot air is being drawn up from Spain, where decades-old temperature records have already been broken on the Iberian peninsula, up towards the UK.
There are suggestions that the June record of 96F (35.6C), which is jointly held by June 28, 1976, and June 29, 1957, could be under threat.
It seems almost certain that the coming days will be the warmest of the year so far, with a reading of 81.5F (27.5C) recorded at Heathrow Airport on May 17 set to be cast aside.
The Met Office has issued a heat alert for parts of England, while animal charities are desperately urging pet owners to be mindful of the impact of the heat as temperatures begin to soar.
The Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have issued a heat-health alert warning ahead of rising temperatures predicted for later this week.
The forecaster said a level 2 heat-health alert has been issued for a large part of southern and central England, with a level 1 alert in place for northern England.
Forecasters say they are keeping a keen eye on the situation, with Friday looking like the most likely day to see the record broken.
Loobie Bailey, 19, enjoys the warm weather today at Bournemouth beach in Dorset. The coming days are set to feature more glorious sunshine and pleasant temperatures
Summer arrives in Bournemouth as people flock to the beach to make the most of the glorious sunshine on Tuesday, June 14
People soak up the sunshine in Portsmouth today by laying down their towels and resting next to the walls in the town’s harbour
Being away from the beach is no barrier, as this woman enjoys the warm weather by sunbathing in St James’ Park in London today
Forecasts suggest that temperatures in southern and eastern England could reach new highs, as the June record of 96F (35.6C) comes under threat
This is set to bring dry, sunny weather, along with soaring temperatures not far short of the all-time temperature record for the UK.
The previous June record of 96F (35.6C) has been recorded twice in the UK – the first time in London on June 29, 1957, and the second time in Southampton during a famous summer heatwave on June 28, 1976.
The all-time temperature record for the UK is 101.7F (38.7C), which was set on July 25, 2019, in Cambridge University Botanical Gardens.
And while Friday may fall short of this, some forecasts are predicting temperatures in the UK to be higher than in Barbados, Jamaica and Greece.
Netweather said: ‘Some forecast maps runs show 36C, which would be the June record.’
The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: ‘Computer models have 35-36C maximum temperatures.’
Coral spokesman Harry Aitkenhead said: ‘The June record is firmly under threat. It’s around a 50/50 call as to whether history record books are rewritten.’
The warm weather is likely to draw more people to the coast in the coming days. Pictured here are father and son Alex (left) and Ashton Fraude (right) playing beach tennis in Bournemouth today
People watch the Changing of the Guard in Horse Guards Parade, London, today. The glorious sunshine provided a fitting backdrop to the ceremony
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, wave as they attend a sun soaked Royal Ascot at the Ascot Racecourse today
Royal Ascot, which is one of the biggest horse racing events on the calendar, was bathed in sunshine and warm weather today
Forecasters predict the glorious weather is set to continue towards the weekend, with temperatures set to peak on Friday, June 17
However, the Met Office urged slightly more caution, with one forecaster saying: ‘Friday is likely to reach the low to mid-30s across large parts of central and southern England.’
Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: ‘Friday is all about temperature watch.’
His colleague and fellow forecaster Dan Rudman said; ‘Many parts of the southern half of the UK are likely to exceed 30C, and may reach 34C in places.’
A Government heatwave alert from tomorrow night will put hospitals on alert for an increase in admissions and ordered health and social workers to prepare to make daily contact with the ill, vulnerable and elderly.
Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said: ‘Temperatures are forecast to reach 30C in some parts of the south on Friday and we want everyone to enjoy the hot weather safely when it arrives and be aware of good health advice for coping with warmer conditions.
‘During periods of hot weather it is especially important to keep checking on those who are most vulnerable, such as older people and those with heart or lung conditions.
‘Make sure to look out for signs of heat exhaustion and follow our simple health advice to beat the heat.’
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Rudman said the temperature predictions are unusual for this time of year.
‘Many areas will also see some warm nights with minimum temperatures expected to be in the high teens or even low 20Cs for some overnight,’ he said.
‘The heat is a result of a mix of home-grown warming in the day due to high pressure, as well as a southerly airflow introducing some of the warm air from the continent to UK shores.’
An Environment Agency spokesperson said there is a low-risk of drought but warned further hot, dry weather could put pressure on some areas.
The British Red Cross, meanwhile, has encouraged people to protect themselves and to check in with vulnerable friends, family and neighbours during the soaring temperatures.
It has given advice to help keep people healthy, including urging them to drink plenty of fluids but avoid excessive alcohol consumption, wear sun cream and keep workplaces and homes cool.
The RSPCA is urging dog owners to be aware of the dangers of walking their pets – especially ones with thick coats and underlying health conditions – during the warmer seasons.
Esme Wheeler, RSPCA dog welfare specialist, said: ‘The truth is walking dogs in hot weather can be a silent killer.
Families set up camp on Weymouth Beach in Dorset earlier today. Forecasters are urging people to be mindful of the rising temperatures in the coming days
Loobie Bailey, 19, from Southampton, makes the most of beautiful weather by going for a run along the beach in Bournemouth today
Racegoers bask in the glorious sunshine at Royal Ascot today, with the event at Ascot Racecourse being held in perfect conditions today
‘While the majority would never leave our dogs in a car on a hot day, or even take our dogs for a really long walk in the heat, many people may still be putting their dogs at risk even on a short walk, or taking them to places such as fields and beaches with little or no shade.
‘We have long-campaigned that dogs die in hot cars, but this year we’re highlighting that dogs die on hot walks, too. The message remains very simple – never leave a dog in a hot car because ‘not long’ is too long, and when it comes to walks, ‘if in doubt, don’t go out.’
The Blue Cross meanwhile urged cat owners to be careful when leaving windows open after one kitten fell from a third storey window and fractured her leg.
The Blue Cross said Dory, a 16-week old kitten, was found by her owner after she fell from a window in Pimlico, central London, during a spate of hot weather on May 18.
The kitten was so badly injured she had to have her leg amputated.
Dory’s owner placed her in the care of the charity following the incident and the Blue Cross is now hoping to rehome her.
Some advice by the charity to cool pets down includes keeping cats indoors during the hottest points in the day, with windows open that have wire mesh or netting to prevent any injuries, and instead letting them out during the cooler parts of the day.
Forecasters are predicting that July and August will be hotter still, as the British summer truly kicks into gear.
The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: ‘It looks like sun cream conditions ahead, with a hotter-than-average July expected, with more hot spells in August.’
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