A long-awaited heatwave could hit the UK next week

A very cold June could soon defrost a bit, as increased temperatures could hit the British Isles beginning next week.

Pleasant weather is expected to continue today, according to the Met Office, with partly cloudy skies and cool breezes by the coast.

Today London will see temperatures of 21°C before the temperature dips back down around 13°C overnight.

For those of us hoping to catch some sun, the UV is also rising, along with temperatures.

Sky News weather producer Kirsty McCabe said: ‘There is also around a 20% chance we could see heatwave conditions developing by the middle of next week.’

Though evenings could still remain rather mild, the days will be sunny next week across much of England, paired with warmer weather.

Forecasters at the Met Office say the capital could bask in temperatures as high as 24°C by Friday.

That would mean heat similar to those enjoyed by holidaymakers in the Catalan city, and only a degree or two cooler than in Tenerife, Majorca and Nice in the south of France.

But Dan Harris, deputy chief meteorologist for the Met Office, said: ‘In stark contrast to the first half of June, where temperatures have widely been below average, we are expecting to see a steady uptick through the second half of this week, rising to around or above average, and it will likely feel very warm for those in the sunshine.

‘Temperatures this week are likely to peak at around 24 or 25°C on Thursday and Friday in the south, though more subdued in the northwest, with the influence of cloud and showers at times more likely.’

The UK experienced its coolest first 10 days of June since 2020, in contrast to the hottest June on record, seen this time last year, where the mercury rose as high as 32.2°C in Lincolnshire and Surrey.

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