Exactly when 35C African plume will bring blistering heat to Britain

Met Office forecasts warmer weather this weekend

The UK is set to preview its first taste of summer this month, but one meteorologist believes this is merely gearing us up for another record-breaking period of heat. New weather maps show the UK basking in highs of up to 24C from the week starting May 23, with inland cities in central England scooping the top thermometer readings. But, contrary to other reports, this is not caused by an African plume, Jim Dale from British Weather Services claims. 

 

Instead, it’s more a sign of the times. Summer officially comes in to play on June 1, and with the ground somewhat heating up, colder weather stands less of a chance. Any unsettled weather will come in the way of rain, wind and storms.

Jim Dale, an author and weather analyst, told Express.co.uk that, at the moment, the UK “remains on the fringes” and is only “picking up scraps” of heat from Europe.

But that still gives much of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and parts of Scotland some finer conditions to play with, and a last minute wave of sunshine just as spring draws to a close.

He said: “There is no truth in the extreme heat calls in the early days. However, it will turn much warmer after next week and by the May23 and 24 we should be seeing peaks of 25C, comfortably.”

When will Africa’s hot plume reach Britain?

“Africa is boiling up towards the end of the month and in time (June) some of that heat is very likely to engage with us,” Mr Dale continued.

“We remain on the fringes for now picking up the scraps but with El Niño set to bubble up, ocean temperatures at an all time peak and with climate change continuing to ramp up, one has to bet on African plumes delivering +35C heat for us this summer…. just not yet.”

What do weather maps show?

From Sunday, May 21, warmer air will push northwards across Europe, covering southern Italy to Oslo in Norway by May 25. This will eclipse parts of the UK, notably the south east, where the mercury will sit at 19C.

Saturday, May 27 is when temperartures will really start to increase for the first time this year – with Scotland seeing highs of 23C.

This week’s weather

The hot weather will not be arriving early this coming week, according to Netweather forecasters. “Due to the northerlies, it will be on the cool side for mid-May on Monday,” it said.

“This is except in southern England, but during Tuesday and Wednesday, daytime temperatures will tend to be just a little below the seasonal average, reaching 14 to 16C in many areas. 

“Through Thursday and Friday and into next weekend, we are expecting rather grey and damp weather to spread in from the north-west, associated with frontal systems.

“These frontal systems may be slow to clear over the weekend, resulting in areas underneath the front staying rather cloudy, though as high pressure builds close to the UK, the rain associated with them may largely fizzle out.”

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But forecasters did not rule out hot weather coming across from continental Europe for the last weekend of May. It added: “With high pressure building for next weekend, resulting in at least some areas of the UK seeing some dry sunny weather.

“Beyond next weekend, there is a lot of uncertainty, with a possibility that the current weather pattern may continue, but also potential for some warmer air to head in from continental Europe.”

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