Weather forecast UK – Brits to enjoy ‘mini HEATWAVE’ this week with temperatures as high as 27C before thunderstorms

How to sleep in a heatwave 

FALLING asleep when it’s still sweltering outside can be a real nightmare for many of us.

But help is at hand, as we’ve got some top tips and tricks on how to avoid baking in bed during a heatwave:

• Don’t go commando
• Turn off all the plug sockets 
• Ice some rice
• Watch what you drink
•  Chill your bedding

Read the article in full here for some more tips.

Keep a umbrella at hand though

Meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: “Through Saturday night and Sunday as temperatures rise and the fine weather arrives.

“Also we could see some showers or thunderstorms drifting north from the continent, most likely affecting the southern part of the UK on Saturday night and Sunday but perhaps more widely later.

“At the same time if we get some sunshine and this plume occurring, temperatures could be rising, early part of next week it’s possible to see low to mid 20s fairly widely and high 20s around the South East if we get sunshine associated with this plume but as I mentioned it does bring the threat of thundery outbreaks at the same time.”

The five-day heatwave is expected to drive crowds to the sea, as beaches have been packed with Brits for the last few weeks.

But keep your brolly handy if you are out on a sunny excursion, as thunderstorms could strike on Saturday and Sunday night.

Glorious 25C heat this weekend

THE country is set to bask in glorious 25C heat this weekend as a scorching five-day heatwave hits the UK.

And it’s only going to get hotter – as a North African plume brings soaring temperatures from across the continent.

The heat from the tropical continental air mass will provide a serious taste of summer over the next few days, with highs of 25C.

Brits are expected to flock to beaches and parks over the weekend to make the most of the sunshine.

A 25C scorcher is expected in the South East today as the good weather sweeps back in.

And it is set to roll over right into next week – with the Met Office forecasting temperatures in the early 20s across the UK.

Expert tips for keeping it cool

With temperatures about to skyrocket into the high 20s, wellness experts from Zeal CBD have put together some tips on how to keep your home as cool as possible for the family, as well as pets:  

• Put a bowl of ice in front of a fan – Simply put a bowl bucket or even tupperware filled with ice water directly in front of a fan. As the ice melts the breeze from the fan will pick up the cool air and will create a cool breeze.
• Keep curtains and windows closed during the day – On a gorgeous sunny day it’s natural to want to want to see the sun and have it shining in through your windows, but it will heat up your surroundings similar to a greenhouse!
• Open windows once the day gets cooler -Once it gets towards the evening, temperatures will start cooling down, which means it’s time to open your windows – and have one open whilst you sleep (if it’s safe to do so).
• Turn off the lights – It’s best to avoid any sort of extra light or heat sources when the temperature is already scorching! 

For pets:

• Encourage them to stay in shaded areas and away from direct sunlight – Pet safety comes first and ensuring your pet is in a shaded area will keep them cool.
• Put down damp towels for them to lie on – A quick method to cool your pet down is to damp a towel with cold water for your pet to lie on.
• Put the garden sprinkler on – If you have a sprinkler or a hose then turn it on during a hot summers day. This can be a fun activity for kids and will keep your pet feeling cool in the sun.

UK weather outlook for Monday and Tuesday

Monday will dull and damp with cloudy skies and heavy rain or showers tracking northwards which will clear to reveal sunny spells and just a few isolated showers later.

There will be sunny spells on Tuesday however variable amounts of cloud will build and outbreaks of rain will spread into the west.

Forecast for tomorrow

A bright day across the UK with spells of sunshine however there will also be variable amounts of cloud cover around.

There is a threat of showers developing which will be most frequent across England and Wales during the morning and a few may be locally heavy.

Similar conditions in the evening.

Tonight’s weather

A generally dry evening with late sunny spells but showers will spread into south-west England and some of these may be heavy and thundery.

Overnight will then be dry with long clear spells however patches of mist, fog and low cloud will form.

Showers across Wales and southern and central England.

Warm weekend, leading onto a warmer week (2/2)

The Met Office said that parts of the south-east could potentially reach top temperatures for the week of 25C-27C.

Met Office spokesman Richard Miles said “at the moment Tuesday looks like being the warmest day of the week”.

The Met Office chief meteorologist, Andy Page, said: “The plume of warm air we have been expecting from the south will bring higher temperatures across the whole country over the next week.

“However, it looks like the effects from the Atlantic lows will prevent sustained high pressure building from the east.

“This means that while we might see some warm – and in places very warm – days, overall the next week will feel more like what we would expect of a warm spell in May, with some heavy showers around, rather than hot summery weather.”

Warm weekend, leading onto a warmer week (1/2)

IT’S GOING TO be a warm weekend, however the weather could lead to heavy rain and thunderstorms in parts of the UK.

Most of Britain can expect to be bathed in sunshine in the coming week as temperatures climb to a possible high of 27C.

According to Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern, Saturday could be: “16-19C widely – with 24C the possible high in the south-east”.

“By Saturday evening, those showers would be making an appearance into the south-west [of England], spreading quite widely into southern parts of England and south Wales,” McGivern added.

“In some places, it would just be a spell of rain but for central and southern England and the south coast there is the risk of some heavy downpours, thunderstorms and frequent lightning.”

From Sunday onwards, after the thundery downpours, Britain could bake under a “mini heatwave”, according to Jim Dale from the British Weather Services.

Good morning, Milica Cosic with you until 2pm today. I’ll be bringing you the latest news and updates on the UK Weather.

Brits face ‘record’ heatwaves this summer

Looking into the long- range summer weather James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, has said: “The overall summer forecast is now pointing towards at least four or five major heatwaves.”

The Met Office’s three-month weather outlook is more conservative, with forecasters predicting a “40% chance” this summer “will be significantly hotter than average”.

Summer weather and open water-bathing, know the RISKS

As hot weather approaches, open bodies of water might look so inviting to cool off in, but they also carry health risks.

Open water swimming has many benefits, but it can also be very dangerous to your health.

On a summers day, a dip in a lake or river or even the sea can look so tempting. However, pollution and sewage spills are a rare possibility.

Rains also bring harmful bacteria into open water spaces.

There are more than 400 monitored open bathing locations in the UK. Areas that are not designated are managed to protect fish and wildlife.

Check these out on the Environment Agency’s Swimfo website to make sure the water is safe to swim in.

The Met Office collects data, to check water quality. If the water isn’t checked, there is a chance it might carry E-Coli, toxic algae and intestinal enterococci which can make you very ill.

PLUME of heat heading straight for the UK

Summer is nearly among us in Britain as warm dry weather pushed in from the west.

The chart shows boiling hot weather sweeping across the UK from the west, just in time for the weekend.

Bands of cloud and some rain are still to hit the UK, but it shouldn’t outweigh the sunshine.

Sunday’s rain: Could this weekend really be a wash out?

Weather forecasts show Sunday to be rainy but warm.

Rain will be sporadic throughout the day, and will splatter across isolated regions throughout the day.

The rainfall looks as though it will be short lived, and shouldn’t ruin plans for this scorching weekend.

Heavy rain won’t come till very early hours of Sunday morning for Cornwall and Devon.

It could hit again around midday, mainly targeting Plymouth and Southampton.

During this time, the rest of the UK should remain dry. It won’t be until later on in the evening that the UK may see widespread heavy rainfall.

Weather outlook for the next three days, UK

While temperatures are expected to rise, the sun will not always be out and skies could become overcast in coming days.

Luckily for Brits, Saturday will be glorious and sunny for the most of England. Temperatures might reach highs of 22C, the warmest we have seen yet this year.

However, Sunday could be a wash out with rains expected smatter here and there. Despite the potential for rain, temperatures could hit 24C on Sunday.

The warm climate and humid, wet weather is likely to continue into Monday. Keen gardeners are likely not to complain about the damp conditions, as April was unseasonably dry, leaving garden turf turning yellow in some parts of the south of England.

London in pictures: City workers took a break from the office to soak up the sun

Office workers made the most of the hot weather and made a break for the outdoors.

Thursday (12 May) turned out to be warm and sunny, so Londoners made the most of the balmy weather and took to the Scoop by the riverside to bask in the sun.

Many took their lunches along with them and sat and socialised in the warm weather.

Temperatures are forecast to rise in the coming days.

Thunderstorms could hit this weekend

Brits brace for turbulent weather this weekend as hot weather brings storms.

The temperature will rise to around between 20 to 24C, bringing with it thunderstorms.

Next week is predicted to bring a mini heatwave, as humidity increases, rain is also likely to be on the cards.

In pictures: Brits make the most of the sun and hit the water

Cambridge visitors took to boats to ride along the river as they made the most of the warm weather.

People hit the river for a punt tour along the River Cam in Cambridge.

Today was the perfect day for it, with highs of 22C and very little cloud cover.

The weekend also looks as though it could be another warm one, and Brits get ready to bask in the sun.

Elderly and vulnerable must take caution in hot weather

While Brits gear up for balmy weather and plenty of sun, it is important to be aware of the risks of heat exposure.

Those who are aged 65 and older are advised to be careful in warmer than usual conditions, as they are more at risk of illness from heat.

According to Better Health, those who are vulnerable should take the following steps to avoid heat stress.

Pay attention to weather reports, keep an eye on the temperature.

Avoid sitting in the sun and take shelter.

Draw curtains and blinds, to keep your property cool in hot weather.

Drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated, and avoid alcohol and caffeine.

Monday set to be a warm day for London

By midday on Monday temperatures could peak at 23C.

Sunday’s rain will carry on through over night, and into the early hours of Monday morning.

However Monday will warm up once again, peaking at around 22C, according to forecasts.

Tuesday will be a scorcher, with highs of 25C in the south, if forecasts are accurate.

Sunday showers: South coast Brits will want to pack their brolly’s

If you live along the south coast of England, bring an umbrella if you’re heading out.

The rain is expected to hit in the early afternoon, and despite warm temperatures, the rain could be heavy.

Hot humid weather and rain clouds could lead to thunderstorms this Sunday, especially overnight. Those living near Plymouth and Southampton will need to take caution and prepare for potential storms.

Brits were pictured braving the rain on Wednesday 11 May, as they crossed Westminster Bridge in London.

Stay safe in the sun as temperatures soar this weekend in the UK

Although the UK is looking forward to a deliciously warm weekend, hot weather can cause illness and injury.

Brits must stock up on SPF creams, to avoid sun burn, as temperatures are expected to suddenly peak.

Sun burn does not only cause excruciating pain and premature wrinkles, doctors say it can also increase chances of skin damage.

Sun damaged skin can cause skin cancer in some cases. SPF creams and sprays are proven to protect the skin from severe damage, so Brits should slather on the protective lotions ahead of the hot weather.

The Skin Cancer Foundation say using SPF reduces chances of developing melanoma by 40 per cent.

Sunscreen does not protect against all UV rays, so it is still possible to get a lovely glow while taking care of your skin.

Gardening tips for May

May marks the end of Spring and a clear transition to Summer.

For those green-fingered among us, what does this mean for our plants?

Average temperatures reach about 10C in England and 8C in Scotland during May, but be mindful that this year is set to be a scorcher of a month.

So, here are 5 tips to bear in mind:
1. Bold bedding can be planted but ensure the last of the frost has passed so as not to kill them off.

2. Be resourceful with limited water supply. May is considered the driest month of the year so find out from the RHS what you can do to reuse, collect and store water.

3. Establish a regular mowing routine. You might find your grass becomes overgrown this month, but don’t mow too often – longer grass means more bugs and creepy crawlies, which is great for birds and other wildlife. Or get involved in No Mow May.

4. If you have a greenhouse, ensure you keep it ventilated to prevent the plants from frying.

5. Look out for nesting birds. You might be keen to prune and chop, but beware of any nesting birds in the bush or hedges – did you know they’re legally protected?

PLUME of heat heading straight for the UK

Summer is nearly among us in Britain as warm dry weather pushed in from the west.

The chart shows boiling hot weather sweeping across the UK from the west, just in time for the weekend.

Bands of cloud and some rain are still to hit the UK, but it shouldn’t outweigh the sunshine.

Next week weather is going to be glorious!

There may be the odd thunderstorm to break up the heat.

Settled and dry conditions are expected across the UK with temperatures above average for most.

While warm weather is expected everywhere, the south of the UK will likely experience the full brunt of it as the air moves up from mainland Europe.