“Iberian plume” to bring the possibility of late summer heatwave in UK

Thursday, August 31, 2023

New weather maps are indicating the possibility of a late-summer heatwave hitting the UK, with temperatures potentially reaching up to 26°C between September 2 and 6. This forecast, referred to as an “Iberian plume,” could lead to a five-day heatwave across regions like London, East Anglia, and the Midlands, even surpassing the temperatures experienced in popular tourist destination Barcelona.

While the weather maps suggest this heatwave, the Met Office’s latest predictions for the same period are more conservative. They anticipate temperatures in the low 20s Celsius for most parts of the UK. Specifically, London is expected to hit 24°C on September 4 and 21°C on the following day, while some areas of the Midlands, including Birmingham, may experience temperatures around 21°C on September 4 and 5.

The Met Office’s long-range forecast for the upcoming week points to temperatures being close to average, with the potential for warmth during sunny intervals. There’s a chance of thundery showers in the south, while unsettled weather may be confined to the northwest.

As for the immediate weather outlook, the week ahead is predicted to bring a mix of clouds and occasional sunshine. However, Friday could see heavier showers across much of the country except for Scotland, which should remain dry.

Over the weekend, a high-pressure system is expected to move in, bringing dry and fine conditions with increasing amounts of sunshine. Despite these potential warming trends, the Met Office has emphasized that there’s no sign of conditions that would meet the criteria for a heatwave in the UK. Cooler overnight periods are anticipated to offset any higher daytime temperatures.

These forecasts come on the heels of weeks of unsettled weather in the UK, characterized by thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. Simultaneously, parts of Europe have been grappling with wildfires triggered by high temperatures, leading to mass evacuations.

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