Two weeks after a record-breaking heatwave, the UK is bracing for another surge in temperatures – but this time the heat will bring a muggy, humid feel rather than the dry blast of May.
The Met Office said temperatures could hit 30C again over the coming weekend. After a cooler and fresher start to June, with low pressure systems rolling in from the Atlantic, high pressure will take over from the south by the end of the week, ushering in summery weather.
“UK set for second heatwave this weekend with temperatures hitting 30C, but with higher humidity than May”
Initially, the warmth will arrive in southern England and Wales before other areas see an improvement. By Friday, temperatures are likely to reach 26-27C, climbing to 28C on Saturday and peaking around 29-30C. Into next week, the mercury could rise beyond 30C across some south and south-eastern locations.
But this heatwave will feel different from May's record-breaking spell. The warm air is coming from the continent, bringing higher humidity. "We can expect a more humid or muggy feel with the higher temperatures into Saturday, the rest of the weekend and into the new week," the Yahoo News UK report said. Overnight temperatures will also be higher, leading to milder, and in some places warm and stuffy, nights.
Much of northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland will escape the humid air, feeling a lot more comfortable both by day and by night. For those in the south, the return of hot weather after a two-week respite of rain and cooler conditions will be a stark change.
As the recent unsettled weather settles down, it will become drier with more sunshine, and temperatures will be boosted to those you would expect for June. But the higher humidity means it may not feel as pleasant as the May heatwave, even if the numbers on the thermometer are similar.