Tuesday was the hottest day of the year so far and now it is being reported that forecasters are expecting a heatwave over the Platinum Jubilee mini weekend. It's great news for Britons who want to make the most of the four-day bank holiday weekend at the beginning of June.
The Met Office announced at lunchtime on Tuesday (May 17) that it was officially the warmest day of the year when temperatures climbed to 27.5°C. The high temperature recorded at Heathrow Airport meant that the capital was officially warmer than Majorca, where temperatures only got up to 23°C during the day. It was not quite as warm in Wales with highs in the low 20s.
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That temperature from Heathrow was 10°C higher than than the average but a long way off the UK's all-time May record of 32.8°C. Looking ahead, it is being reported that forecasters believe another wave of pleasant conditions will arrive just in time for Her Majesty's celebrations from June 2 to June 5.
Giving her weather outlook for the run-up to the Jubilee, Sky News weather producer Kirsty McCabe told the Daily Star: "At the moment it looks as though the weather will turn drier and increasingly settled as we head towards the end of May with high pressure becoming the dominant feature into the first week of June. That means we can expect largely dry, settled and warm conditions with a royally good amount of sunshine for the Jubilee weekend."
The Met Office will say that it is too early to tell, but the forecasting service's long-range forecast does go up to that first weekend in June. It says: "Into June, temperatures are likely to be above average across the south but closer to average further north. Toward mid-June it may turn less settled across the north of the UK, bringing rain or showers, while the south may remain largely fine."
BBC Weather's long range forecast for the start of June says: " Into early summer we expect high pressure as across the central northern Atlantic that extends into north-west Europe. Low pressure could be centred west of Iberia and further low pressure systems move across northern Scandinavia. This would bring a drier pattern across England and Wales."
The four days of celebrations at the start of the June will include public events and community activities, to mark The Queen’s 70 years of service. If you are looking for some bigger events to enjoy across Wales read our list here.
An outdoor concert in the Welsh capital featuring some of Wales' biggest stars will lead the celebrations over the four-day bank holiday. Other events planned include the lighting of more than 1,500 beacons around the country to celebrate the milestone.
Live under the Stars has announced the Cardiff Castle Jubilee Celebration Concert on Saturday, June 4, which will feature the likes of Aled Jones, Mike Peters, Bonnie Tyler and John Owen-Jones. The event, which will kick off at 3pm, will also see drumming weatherman Owain Wyn Evans take to the stage alongside funnyman Mike Doyle, the Pendyrus Male Voice Choir and the Welsh Pops Orchestra.
Meanwhile, it has been announced on Wednesday (May 18) that soul icon Diana Ross is set to headline the BBC's Platinum Party At The Palace concert. The former Supremes singer will be one of the main attractions for the star-studded event, which which will be broadcast live on BBC One on Saturday, June 4. The royal celebrations in London will include the live pop concert from Buckingham Palace, as well as a carnival pageant on the streets of London and Jubilee lunches. To keep up to date with news from across Wales subscribe to our newsletters here.
