England weather summer 2024: Here comes the sun at last, says Met Office with temperatures up to 24C as potential heatwave predicted

The Met Office predicts that the southeast could bask in a heatwave, with temperatures rising up to 24C by the end of the week. This follows a yellow severe weather warning for heavy rain and thunderstorms, in effect from 11am to 9pm on Tuesday (June 18).

The warning covers parts of northern England and the North Midlands, with up to 30mm of rain expected in one hour. Some of the storms will also be slow-moving and may include lightning and hail.

But things are looking up for many in the next few days as the ridge of high pressure will continue, bringing more settled conditions to the southeast. However, the Met Office warned that this could be short-lived.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mark Sidaway said: “In stark contrast to the first half of June, where temperatures have widely been below average, we are expecting to see a steady uptick through the second half of this week, rising to around or above average, and it will likely feel very warm for those in the sunshine.

“This initial spell of warm conditions isn’t expected to last too long however, as it turns more changeable through Friday and into the weekend with areas of cloud and rain spilling east across the UK.” The Met Office also said there is a possibility that the warmer weather may continue into next week, and could persist for several days.

According to its long-range forecast between June 23 and July 2, the UK will turn much warmer despite outbreaks of light rain affecting western and northwestern areas but for most, it will be dry throughout.

It added: “There is a chance that this could persist for much of the rest of the period, turning increasingly hot, however by mid-next week we see a large range of outcomes some of which allow for a return of much cooler conditions and northerly winds for the latter part of next week. However the trend toward much warmer conditions is preferred for now.”

In the UK, a heatwave is identified as an extended period of unusually high temperatures compared to the typical conditions for that specific time and location. The Met Office sets a temperature threshold for each county, and if the daily maximum temperature meets or exceeds this threshold for at least three consecutive days, it is considered a heatwave.

These thresholds range from 28C in London and some home counties to 25C in northern England, Devon and Cornwall, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and most of Wales. In May, Chertsey in Surrey nearly reached its threshold of 28C, recording the highest temperature of 2024 so far at 27.5C.