El Scorchio: Temperatures into the 30s this weekend

A difficult week of weather forecasting so far. Thunderstorms that have “gone wrong” – in other words, not been as significant as the forecast expected them to be. As we progress into the remainder of the week, the focus turns to heat. Across much of western Europe the searing heat has arrived, with temperatures well into the upper 30’s Celsius for many parts of Spain and France.

Forecast temperatures for Saturday (credit: Theweatheroutlook), make the most of it.

Forecast

The UK has been on the edge of the heat, however by Saturday we will get a taste of it. Cooler easterly winds will keep the eastern side of the country relatively fresh, but still warm (away from the coast) during Thursday and Friday. There will be stark contrast between the west and the east. Parts of south west England, near Glastonbury, are likely to see temperatures near 30C this Thursday and Friday, whilst cooler conditions will prevail in eastern counties – just 24C in London for example, with some cloud being brought in off the North Sea.

It will also be rather breezy on Thursday and Friday, especially in the south west. The Met Office have actually issued a wind warning for the south west; gusts of 40 or 50mph are possible in some south western coasts and hills.




Temperatures peak on Saturday, winds become lighter and humidity increases so an increasingly oppressive feel. Most computer models are simulating temperatures between 30 and 34 degrees Celsius in South Eastern England, for example London. Elsewhere across England and Wales, very warm to hot at between 26 and 29C, generally. Slightly fresher however in western Scotland and Ireland, a sign of things to come.

Fresher conditions will arrive from the Atlantic from Sunday, bringing showers in the north west, but probably still predominately dry in the south east. There is also a risk of thunderstorms this weekend, more detail will be available nearer the time.