Revellers enjoy the sun in Bournemouth this month (Image: Getty)
England could win the trophy for scorching temperatures later this month when a blistering plume of 31C arrives on the day the nation plays its final World Cup group match. The Three Lions are due to face Croatia in their third game of the tournament in the United States at 9pm UK time on Wednesday, June 17.
But the temperature could already be reaching fever pitch even before the referee has blown his whistle as much of the country is predicted to enjoy temperatures reaching above 30 degrees during the day. The new forecast maps from WXCharts will make for welcome reading across the hospitality sector, who will be hoping England fans take the day off work to enjoy some pre-match drinks in pubs and beer gardens.
A bit like a temperature tournament, most of the UK counties appear to by vying for who can get the hottest, with 12 regions in play. Scroll down to see who comes out on top.
Scorching conditions look set to hit the UK and France on June 17 (Image: WXCharts)
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Looking across the UK in general on June 17, London and the Home Counties are predicted to get the lion’s share of the hottest readings, with 31C in the capital and 30C in surrounding regions. East Anglia, the Midlands and parts of the South West will also see the mercury in the late 20s.
The North West and Yorkshire will also see high temperatures persist, with cities like Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester looking likely to hit 28 or 29C by midday.
Forecast maps show the warm weather is being fuelled by a heat dome pushed up from Spain and Portugal in the Iberian Peninsula.
A Met Office forecast covering June 16 and 17 confirms high pressure is expected to bring brighter drier conditions to much of the country.
It said: “The start of the period is likely to be relatively settled, with high pressure in the vicinity of the UK bringing drier conditions to most parts of the UK.
“However some showers or spells of rain are still possible.
Hot weather is predicted to arrive in time for the World Cup starting later this month (Image: WXCharts)
The forecast continues: “Winds will mostly be light with temperatures probably above normal.
“Towards the end of June, low pressure may begin to have more of an influence, especially across the south where heavy showers and thunderstorms become more probable.
“It may also become hot in parts of the south.”
The 12 hottest counties on Wednesday June 17 (12 noon)
- City of London 31C
- Surrey 30C
- Essex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Middlesex, East Sussex and West Sussex 29C
- Oxfordshire, West Midlands, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire 28C
Blistering heat is predicted to arrive later this month (Image: WXCharts)
Met Office five-day forecast
This Evening and Tonight:
Rain moving eastwards, heavy at times, especially southeast by the morning. Showers developing in the west with the risk of thunder. Low cloud and coastal fog further north. Mild.
Heavy showers and thunder across the south and east, where it can be gusty. Drier spells developing in the west later with some sunnier spells. Temperatures around average for June.
Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:
A changeable week to come with showers and longer spells of rain, but some sunnier spells in between. Temperatures much closer to average, or even just below.