How long will the UK’s hot weather last?

The mercury could reach 31C in parts of the UK on Wednesday... but this isn't expected to last.

Ellen Manning and Ross McGuinness
Updated ·4-min read
People make their way down towards Bournemouth Beach in Dorset. Picture date: Sunday June 23, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images)
People make their way down towards Bournemouth Beach in Dorset on Sunday. (PA)

Parts of the UK have been experiencing even hotter temperatures on Tuesday, with the mercury in London forecast to hit peaks of 31C on Wednesday.

But the heat is expected to end there.

Conditions are expected to be cooler from Thursday onwards, with cloud and rain expected in certain regions.

“There will be a little bit of rain and cloud through Thursday,” the Met Office said.

“But it’ll actually be quite pleasant, although temperatures will still be a little cooler and closer to average, the weather will still be fine and there will be a lot of dry weather around.”

The following map shows how temperatures will contrast between Wednesday and Thursday.

Contrasting temperature forecasts shown for 1pm on Wednesday and 1pm on Thursday. (Met Office)
Contrasting temperature forecasts shown for 1pm on Wednesday and 1pm on Thursday. (Met Office)

It comes after the hottest temperature on Monday was recorded at 28.3C in Wisley, Surrey, making it the hottest day of the year so far, the forecaster said.

London saw a peak of 27.4C at St James’s Park, while temperatures rose to 26.9C in Aberdeenshire and 25C in Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, ahead of Tuesday and Wednesday's warm weather, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) issued a safety warning reminding people heading to coastal areas to take precautions.

Read more: How to stay safe in dangerously hot weather, according to the experts (Yahoo News UK)

“We are expecting the coast to be extremely busy with this burst of warm weather. We want everyone to enjoy being around the water but we also want to make sure people stay safe and know what to do in an emergency.

"Always visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. If you get into trouble in the water, 'float to live': tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing."

Here, Yahoo News UK breaks down, using Met Office forecasts, what the weather will be like in each region of the UK over the coming days.

  • Wednesday

Any fog and low cloud will soon clear to give a fine day with light winds and plenty of sunshine. Very warm or even hot in places. Maximum temperature 31C.

  • Thursday to Saturday

Increasingly cloudy and breezy but most likely dry on Thursday. Still very warm in the east. Mostly fine and dry though much cooler on Friday and Saturday, with sunny spells.

A dog cools off in the River Thames in London on Monday. (PA)
A dog cools off in the River Thames in London on Monday. (PA)

  • Wednesday

Another fine and very warm, locally hot, day is expected. An isolated heavy shower possible by the afternoon and evening. Winds remaining light. Maximum temperature 29C.

  • Thursday to Saturday

Increasing cloud through Thursday, with some rain by the afternoon. Bright and breezy Friday and Saturday, mainly dry with sunny spells. Staying warm, though temperatures lower than recent days.

  • Wednesday

Another fine and very warm, locally hot, day is expected. An isolated heavy shower possible by the afternoon and evening in the West Midlands. Remaining dry in the evening in the East Midlands. Winds remaining light. Maximum temperature 29C.

  • Thursday to Saturday

Increasingly cloudy and breezy but most likely dry on Thursday. Staying warm in the east. Breezy with sunny spells on Friday, showers for some. Most likely dry on Saturday.

  • Wednesday

Cloudy with areas of coastal fog, the cloud gradually burning back to the coast to give a fine and largely sunny afternoon. Staying warm. A bit breezy in the evening. Maximum temperature 24C.

  • Thursday to Saturday

Cloudy with a bit of rain on Thursday then sunny, breezy but cooler in the afternoon. Sunny spells and blustery showers on Friday. A chance of rain on Saturday.

The sun rises over the River Mersey in Liverpool. Highs of up to 31C have been forecast for this week as temperatures across the UK continue to rise. Picture date: Monday June 24, 2024.
The sun rises over the River Mersey in Liverpool on Monday. (PA)

  • Wednesday

Another fine and very warm, locally hot, day is expected. An isolated heavy shower possible by the afternoon and evening. Winds remaining light. Maximum temperature 28C.

  • Thursday to Saturday

Cloudier and cooler on Thursday, with some patchy rain moving southeastwards. Bright and breezy for Friday and Saturday, mainly dry with plenty of sunny spells.

  • Wednesday

Cloudy but mainly dry, with temperatures between 20C and 23C.

  • Thursday to Saturday

Early rain Thursday, then mainly dry and breezy with some showers. Friday a mix of bright spells and showers. Saturday mostly dry with sunny spells. Cooler than recent days.

  • Wednesday

Some early mist or fog soon clearing to leave a mainly dry and sunny day. Turning hazier later as cloud builds before rain spreads east through the evening and overnight. Maximum temperature 22C.

  • Thursday to Saturday

Rain overnight clearing to scattered showers on Thursday, windy. Sunny spells and some showers on Friday. Mostly dry with sunshine Saturday.

  • Wednesday

Another fine and very warm, locally hot, day is expected. An isolated heavy shower possible by the afternoon and evening. Winds remaining light. Maximum temperature 29C.

  • Thursday to Saturday

Cloudier and cooler on Thursday, with some patchy rain moving southeastwards. Bright and breezy for Friday and Saturday, mainly dry with plenty of sunny spells.

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