There are reports parts of Britain could be hotter than Barcelona by the middle of the month as the mercury starts to rise towards the mid-30s. While the weather has been cooler of late, this could all change for parts of the UK.
A weather map by WXCharts of Europe suggests a mid-July high of 35C putting the UK ahead of holiday destinations such as Spain and Italy. On Friday, July 15 the mercury could rise to 35C in central and southern England, in Barcelona it is not expected to get any warmer than 31C, MirrorOnline reports.
While the Met Office is saying the mercury could hit 30C in parts of the country this weekend. It says temperatures are set to be 'widely above average', especially in the south.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Rebekah Sherwin, said; “The influence of the high pressure is likely to continue across southern areas into the second week of July and at times could be more widespread.
“Temperatures are expected to be widely above average, especially across the south, with some areas seeing maxima in the high 20s, locally 30 Celsius by this weekend.
"Beyond that, the forecast becomes more uncertain and, while it may well continue warm, the extent, magnitude and duration of these above-average temperatures are not clear at this stage and won’t be known until closer to the time.”
The BBC is also forecasting rising temperatures this week. Forecaster Susan Powell said: "Saturday into Sunday it looks like quite a wide swathe certainly of England should see temperatures in the high 20s," she said.
Brian Gaze, a forecaster at Weather Outlook, was reported in the Independent as saying: “At the moment long-range computer models are suggesting an increased likelihood of very warm conditions during the last third of July.
“Temperatures in the UK reached 32.7C earlier this month and typically the hottest weather of the summer comes in July or August. In recent years periods of extreme heat have become more common in the UK. I wouldn’t be surprised if temperatures climbed to 35C. To put a little context on that, the hottest day in the entire decade of the 1980s was 34.4C.”
UK Met Office forecast
Today: Cloudy start for western and northern areas with some light rain, mainly north Wales northwards. Cloud breaking up for many in the south by day but staying cloudy in the northwest. Best of the sunshine in the southeast.
Tonight: Clear spells for south and southeast areas. Cloudier further north with some rain developing, mainly northern England northwards and particularly northwest Scotland where heavy and persistent. Becoming windier here.
Wednesday: Fine dry in central and southern parts and becoming warmer. Cloudier in the north with some rain, most persistent in the northwest. Breezy in the north.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday: Southern, and often eastern areas fine with sunny periods; becoming warm from Friday. Remaining cloudier and breezier in the northwest with rain at times. Southern regions potentially very warm Saturday.
