Forecasters predict a heatwave could hit parts of the UK next week despite a partly cloudy start to the weekend.
A “partly cloudy start to the weekend” is expected on Saturday, with further rain and warmer temperatures expected in southern and eastern England, but a “mainly fine day” is expected across most of the UK on Sunday.
Further hotter and more humid weather is expected early next week, with temperatures expected to reach the mid-20s and a possible heatwave in parts of central and southern England.
However, from Wednesday onwards the weather will become “unsettled” with heavy rain and thunderstorms possible.
Health officials said the number of people visiting the NHS website seeking hay fever advice has more than doubled this week as the weather warms.
Temperatures are expected to reach a maximum of 27C in the north of England and 28C in the south and south-east of England on Monday.
“Parts of the central and southern UK could see temperatures approaching the levels needed for a heatwave,” Neil Armstrong, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said.
“Heatwave conditions would need to continue for three consecutive days, meaning parts of the UK could reach the heatwave threshold by the middle of next week.”
“However, regardless of whether all areas experience the heatwave threshold, much of the UK will experience its best weather and highest temperatures so far this year.”
Speaking about the upcoming weekend, Met Office spokesperson Andrea Bishop said: “We’re looking at a cloudier than usual start to the weekend.”
“Clouds are spreading with scattered light rain or drizzle but this will change to showers as it clears to the east. Most of England will be dry with variable clouds and sunny spells.”
Forecasters say temperatures Saturday evening are expected to reach the upper teens to low 20s.
The Met Office said increasing cloud and drizzle was expected across Wales, central and southern England on Sunday morning, but sunny skies were expected to continue throughout the day.
Forecasters said the rise in temperatures was due to the jet stream, a high-speed wind in the atmosphere that causes changes in air pressure and shapes weather across the country.
Mr Bishop added: “Generally speaking, high pressure is moving in from the southwest and the weather will be mostly fair for most of the region on Sunday.”
“The heat is due to the jet stream being on the cooler side for most of June.
“It’s moving north now, pulling low pressure northwards and high pressure moving in and bringing warm air with it.”
NHS England, which runs the NHS website, said on Friday that the hay fever section of its website had seen an average of 11,736 visits per day this week, up from an average of 4,749 visits per day last weekend.
Hay fever is usually at its worst between March and September, when pollen counts are at their highest and the weather is warm, windy and humid.
