Will there be a heatwave in June 2023? Latest weather forecast predictions
It’s time to get the paddling pool out and the BBQ ready – summer is here and the weather is hotting up.
As we enter June we have enjoyed a sunny spell of weather, leading many to wonder if a heatwave could be on the horizon.
The heatwave of 2022 may feel like a distant memory after the UK was hit by record-breaking temperatures in July, along with dangerous wildfires, and very little rainfall leading to the driest July for over 110 years.
Following this, the Met Office and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have created a new alert system so people in England can better prepare for the health impacts of a heatwave.
But are we heading towards another heatwave? Here’s what we know.
Will there be a heatwave in June 2023?
The sunny weather is set to remain this week with temperatures set to rise with the hottest day of the year predicted by the Met Office.
After a sunny weekend, the good weather is set to stay, with Wales and south-west England possibly hitting 26C or even 27C on Thursday.
But despite hitting high temperatures, the Met Office does not define this as a heatwave.
Speaking about the weather forecast for this week, a Met Office spokesperson said: ‘As we move towards next weekend there’s a signal for temperatures possibly getting towards the mid-20s.
‘It’s not anything we’d call a heatwave, but there’s some signals for later next week and into next weekend for higher temperatures, particularly in the south.
‘The high pressure will be in place for the foreseeable future.’
The hottest temperature of the year so far is expected this weekend, and some parts of the UK could experience a heatwave.
The threshold for a heatwave is different across the UK, but in some areas it is classified as hitting highs of 25C to 28C across a three-day period.
The ‘Iberian Plume’ we are set to experience will be caused by Storm Oscar, which is currently across the Canary Islands, and will push the high pressure further east
With more hot weather on the way, the Met Office has launched a new alert system to help people in England better prepare for heatwaves as and when they come.
The Heat-Health Alerting system – created by the UKHSA in partnership with the Met Office – is designed to give health advice on how different levels of heat will affect the population.
The four colour levels are:
- Green (preparedness): No alert will be issued as the conditions are likely to have minimal impact on health; business as usual and summer/winter planning and preparedness activities.
- Yellow (response): these alerts cover a range of situations; yellow alerts may be issued during periods of heat/cold which would be unlikely to impact most people but could impact those who are particularly vulnerable.
- Amber (enhanced response): This alert indicates that weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service, and at this level, we may begin to see some health impacts across the wider population, not just the most vulnerable; non-health sectors may also start to observe impacts and a more significant coordinated response may be required.
- Red (emergency response): This indicates a significant risk to life for even the healthy population; severe impacts would be expected across all sectors with a coordinated response essential.
Forecasts will be issued for five days, six to 15 days, and 16 to 30 days ahead to allow Britons to plan appropriately for the heat.
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