By Lucy Caulkett-
The UK’s heat wave could last until October, despite contrary predictions., according to the Met Office. The Met Office was providing a briefing for local authorities when it stated that above average temperatures are more likely than below-average temperatures for the next three months.
The prediction goes against earlier suggestions that the party heat wave engulfing much of Britain is about to end, with one of the wettest August on records on its way. Conflicting predictions of a downpour of rain for most of August set a disappointing outlook of gloom for those whose who trust weather forecasters. However, some expert weather forecasters believe the hot weather has many months to go, even if not consistently.
The Met Office said cooler temperatures are expected from the middle of this week, lasting throughout the weekend. The three-month outlook indicates an increased chance of stable weather conditions, bringing warmer than average temperatures and below-average rainfall. Temperatures are set to top 30C in some parts of the UK on Monday.
The Met Office said that on Tuesday temperatures could peak at 34C in Essex or Norfolk. It added that much of Scotland and Northern Ireland will start the week with some rain. The Met Office believes maximum temperatures are likely to dip to around the mid-20s by Wednesday.
Experts say the increase weather could be just one or two degrees above average temperatures – which are 19C, 16C and 13C for August, September and October respectively.
A Met Office spokesperson stressed the outlook gave a “general trend” for the period rather than a “detailed forecast”.”We need to remember that this is an average for the whole of the UK over a three-month period and so there will be variations in weather from day to day and week to week, over the whole of the UK,” they said.
“Although temperatures are more likely to be warmer than average over the three months, this doesn’t mean wall-to-wall sunshine, it can still be warm and cloudy.”
July’s average maximum temperature, at 22.5C, was hotter than the same month in the scorching summer of 1976, which recorded an average of 21.6C. .Temperatures are expected to significantly cool down after Wednesday
“There will be a cool front coming eastwards across the country which will bring cooler and fresher temperatures,” she revealed. “The south and east will still be warmer than average for this time of year but even they will be cooling off. We can expect the odd rumble of thunder.”
The north and west is expected to experience some showers, she added – but with temperatures then potentially climbing for the weekend across the whole country once more.
“A low-level pressure system will bring spells of rain before things become brighter and warmer again by Saturday afternoon,” she said. Heat warnings were issued in Spain for 41 of the country’s 50 provinces.The conditions played a part in the deaths of two men, one in Barcelona and the other in the southern region of Murcia, according to Spanish authorities.