UK could see second heatwave in matter of weeks as temperatures climb

Temperatures could hit 30C again over the coming weekend, just two weeks after a record-breaking heatwave, the Met Office said.

While the UK is set to experience unsettled weather with a mix of sunshine and rain showers until Friday, conditions are set to take a sharp turn at the weekend.

Temperatures are set to rise above the seasonal average, which is around 21C (69.8F) for southern England, according to Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud, and could hit the 30C barrier and possibly break it.

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It comes after the end of last month saw record-breaking temperatures across the UK, with 25 and 26 May both reported as the hottest ever May days consecutively, with a respective 34.8C (94.64F) and 35.1C (95.18F) recorded.

May 26 became the hottest day in May on record for both England and Wales, with 35.1C measured at Kew Gardens and 32.9C at Cardiff Bute Park.

Mr Stroud said: "We're looking at temperatures climbing into the weekend, particularly on Saturday and Sunday, so feeling much warmer than recent days, with temperatures quite widely above average, especially across the south come Saturday, and even more so on Sunday."

The south and southeast of England are set to experience the highest temperatures over the weekend, with Mr Stroud suggesting that temperatures will be heading comfortably into the high 20s, with "definitely a chance" of breaking 30C (86F).

"More so on Monday," he added, before saying "there is always the potential for hitting heatwave criteria again" while stressing uncertainty about longer range forecasts.

The meteorologist explained that the change in the weather is due to a change in the jet stream, which is currently running across the UK and driving unsettled Atlantic weather fronts across the country.

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Higher pressure will start to build from the south at the end of this week, he added, bringing noticeably sunnier and generally more settled weather.

In the meantime, the UK is set for "brighter intervals and frequent showers" throughout Wednesday, and "more widespread wet and windy weather" is likely for Thursday.

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