UK braces for heatwave and heavy rain as Met Office warns of 30 °C temps and thunderstorms

The Met Office forecast predicts a contrasting week of weather across the United Kingdom. High pressure over mainland Europe will drive temperatures in the southeast to rise toward 28‑30 °C by Friday, while a low‑pressure front from the Atlantic brings the risk of thunderstorms.

A yellow Heat‑Health Alert has been issued for the East Midlands, East of England, London and the southeast, covering 15:00 Wednesday 17 June to 20:00 Monday 22 June. The alert follows expectations of humid conditions and possible heat‑related health impacts.

At the same time, a 250‑mile band of rain will sweep the country, with up to 32 mm falling in an hour in northern Scotland and heavy downpours of up to 8 mm per hour expected in the Midlands, southwest England, Wales and parts of Scotland on Tuesday. Eighteen UK areas are on a heavy‑downpours alert as the rain moves eastward later in the week. The combined effect is a week of hot, humid spells in the south and east, and unsettled, wet weather with thunderstorm risk in the north and west.