Britain could be heading for another scorching summer with forecasters warning of “high temperature spikes” and an increased risk of heatwaves after the UK smashed its all-time May heat record.
The Met Office‘s latest three-month outlook suggests temperatures are likely to be above average throughout summer, with experts warning the conditions could bring further periods of extreme heat.
The forecast comes just days after a late spring heatwave sent temperatures soaring to 35.1C at Kew Gardens in London – the highest temperature ever recorded in May in the UK. The previous record of 32.8C had stood since 1944.
Yellow and amber heat-health alerts were issued during the spell as much of the country basked in unusually hot conditions.
Now, forecasters believe more could be on the way.
In its summer outlook, published on June 1, the first day of meteorological summer, the Met Office said there is an increased likelihood of warmer-than-average conditions continuing through June, July and August.
The agency added that there is “an increased chance of heatwaves and heat-related impacts” during the season.
Weather experts at MeteoGroup, which provides forecasting data for BBC Weather, have also pointed to the possibility of several intense hot spells over the coming months.
The forecaster said a “few notable high temperature spikes” could develop during summer, with above-average temperatures expected throughout June, July and August.
It added that both the UK and mainland Europe could experience “significant bursts” of heat.
The Met Office said warmer summers are becoming increasingly likely due to climate trends, with hotter-than-average conditions now around twice as likely as during the 1991-2020 climate reference period.