Northern Ireland weather: Met Office predicts record-breaking 30C heatwave as UK hotter than Tenerife

The Met Office says temperatures could soar to 33C over the Bank Holiday weekend, with an official heatwave now expected – and as many as 21 UK counties could see the mercury rise to 30C or more

The Met Office believes temperatures could hit 33C this weekend as some parts are set to be warmer than Tenerife. It comes as an official heatwave has been forecast for the Bank Holiday weekend.

The national weather agency says temperatures will start to rise on Friday, possibly reaching 30C on Saturday, 32C on Sunday, and even 33C on Monday. Meanwhile the holiday hotspot of Tenerife, will hit heights of 23C this weekend.

Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Steve Kocher said: “It is likely that the May and Spring UK temperature records will be broken over the Bank Holiday weekend.”

The current record stands at 32.8C. The current forecast would see the UK hit by an official heatwave, which means the temperatures anywhere across the country have surpassed the official threshold three days in a row.

That threshold varies from 25C to 28C in different counties. Should the current forecast pan out, the UK would easily pass into heatwave territory.

According to the Met Office, heatwave conditions will probably be reached across parts of the south-east on Sunday. They may then extend “across central and western England and into parts of Wales”.

Meteorological charts back up the Met Office’s forecasts. Temperature anomaly maps, utilising the ECMWF weather model, display swathes of deep red and black stretching across Britain – highlighting where temperatures will climb significantly beyond the seasonal norm, reports the Mirror.

Meanwhile, maximum potential temperature maps indicate as many as 21 counties might witness thermometers soaring to 30C or higher on Monday.

UK counties potentially facing 30C or above this weekend

Yorkshire

Lincolnshire

Leicestershire

Derbyshire

Nottinghamshire

Staffordshire

Shropshire

Gloucestershire

Warwickshire

Oxfordshire

Cambridgeshire

Northamptonshire

Norfolk

Suffolk

Bedfordshire

Buckinghamshire

Essex

Hertfordshire

Surrey

Berkshire

Hampshire

British Red Cross issues heatwave warning

The British Red Cross has released advice aimed at helping the public remain safe as temperatures soar in the days ahead.

Dafydd Beech, National Community Education Manager at the British Red Cross, said: “As we come into the summer months, warm weather gives us a chance to get out a bit more and enjoy ourselves. It’s important to take care while you have fun with friends and family to avoid becoming dehydrated, getting sun burn or even heat stroke.

“Getting into the habit of taking steps whenever temperatures rise can really help. It can be simple things like wearing sunscreen, drinking plenty of fluids or ensuring you take breaks from the sun. Building these habits early means people are better prepared if hotter weather lasts longer.”