UK weather: Britain to see hottest day of year with 29C as heatwave turns maps red
The weather is expected to stay hot at the start of the year
PA/WXCharts
The UK is set to see sunny skies at the start of next week, with a heatwave turning large parts of the map red.
Fine and settled conditions are currently forecast to extend across the UK, with the Met Office signalling the prospect of higher temperatures to come into the early part of next week.
Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-20°Cs by the middle of next week, with temperatures forecast to reach 29C in London and the South East by Wednesday.
However, it may not be good news for those headed to this year's Glastonbury Festival as rainy conditions are expected to hit at the later part of next week.
The weather is expected to stay hot at the start of the year
PA/WXCharts
Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said: "After a brief, less settled, interlude on Friday and Saturday, fine conditions will return by Sunday and into next week.
"For much of the UK this will be accompanied by a boost in temperatures with many places reaching the mid-20°Cs by the middle of next week.
"Some central and southern areas are likely to see temperatures approaching the values needed for heatwave conditions. Heatwave conditions need to remain in situ for three consecutive days, and by the middle of next week it is possible that some parts of the UK could be reaching heatwave thresholds.
"However, whether or not everyone experiences heatwave thresholds, the majority of the UK will experience the finest conditions and highest temperatures so far this year."
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People make their way towards the car park after taking part in the Summer Solstice 2024 at Stonehenge
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However, after Wednesday, those headed to this year's Glastonbury Festival in Somerset are expected to be hit with a "strong possibility" of showers.
Met Office spokesman Graham Madge said: "Although the set-up for the festival is likely to be in near heatwave conditions, there is a signal for showers, perhaps even heavy and thundery, towards the end of next week.
"What we’ve got from now is an area of high pressure, which is beginning to build, raising temperature values, so we’re in for largely a fine weekend...and by the time we get to the end of the weekend we’ll see temperatures start to climb.
"There is uncertainty over exactly how long this period of fine and settled weather will last. At the moment, we are forecasting that it will last into at least the middle of next week. So that will be in situ for when Glastonbury starts to open on Wednesday."
Next Wednesday could see highs of 29C
Met Office
National Water Safety Partner at the RNLI Samantha Hughes said: "The forecasted warm weather will mean we’ll see more visitors at the coast and we always want people to enjoy themselves safely.
"Entering the water during warm weather can increase the risk of cold water shock due to the sudden changes in skin temperatures.
"Enter the water gradually and avoid jumping or diving straight in to reduce your risk of cold-water shock."