UK weather: ‘Mini heatwave’ forecast as temperatures to hit 26C

The forecast higher temperatures are down to a weak ridge of high pressure that will build over the south of the UK.

In the warmest areas, temperatures are expected to reach 23C on Thursday, climbing to 25C on Friday and 26C on Saturday.

Is this a heatwave? To officially classify as one, temperatures must exceed a specific threshold for three consecutive days. This threshold varies across the UK by region but typically ranges between 25C and 28C (77F to 82F).

We probably will not see temperatures reach the heatwave threshold anywhere, and certainly not for three consecutive days – therefore it is definitely not going to be a heatwave.

The highest temperature recorded this May also looks well out of reach.

Well, is it a mini-heatwave then? Meteorologists do not have an official definition for a “mini-heatwave,” so it is not a term we use to describe the weather. We would be more likely to refer to it as “a few warm days”.

Meanwhile low pressure will continue to bring rain and showers to northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland over the next few days. Temperatures will remain slightly above the May average, and it will feel pleasant whenever the Sun breaks through the clouds.