Following a stretch of record-breaking heat, the UK is experiencing a brief period of milder weather. Last week saw three consecutive days of new June heat records, culminating in a peak of 37.3C at Santon Downham in Suffolk, which surpassed the previous 1976 record of 35.6C.
As Atlantic winds move in, temperatures are decreasing alongside humidity. Monday will be mostly sunny and dry, with highs reaching 24 or 25C in the Midlands and eastern England. Tuesday will see low pressure systems arrive, bringing potential thunderstorms and rain to northern and western regions. A second low-pressure system is expected by late Wednesday, primarily affecting Northern Ireland.
While Thursday should be dry, the south-east of England will remain warmer, with temperatures nearing 26C. This region might avoid the rain entirely, potentially keeping the first week of Wimbledon dry. However, this relief may be fleeting. Meteorologists are monitoring high pressure from the Azores that could settle over the UK by the weekend. This setup raises the possibility of another heat dome, with some models suggesting temperatures could climb back toward 35C in early July. Experts note that human-induced climate change is driving more frequent and intense heatwaves, with further hot spells anticipated throughout July and August.
