A heatwave’s on the way... just as you go back to work
WOULDN’T you just know it? Cloud will swathe most of the country for the weekend, then, when we’re back at work, the sun will come out.
The temperature may be nudging 70F (21C) today and tomorrow but there will be a typically British overcast feel to things.
But looking on the bright side, at least it will be mainly dry. And there is good news on the horizon, albeit when everyone is cooped up in their offices – a heatwave will arrive just in time for the start of Wimbledon. Britain is set to sizzle next week with temperatures soaring to 80F (26C), forecasters predicted yesterday.
Tennis fans can expect some of the hottest days of the year so far as they tuck into their strawberries and cream and cheer on British hope Andy Murray.
It is unlikely that the new £80million centre court retractable roof will be needed as the skies will remain rain-free until Friday at the earliest, something of a rarity during the notoriously unsettled Wimbledon fortnight.
Met Office forecaster Barry Grommett said: “It’s not going to be fun and sun all the way but it should be quite a pleasant weekend.
“The warmest temperatures will hover around the 70F (21C) or 73F (22C) mark but there will be quite a lot of cloud about. There is the chance of a few showers in the North-east and East Anglia on Saturday and in the far North on Sunday.”
But he had better news for the first week of Wimbledon.
“It looks like we are going to see some very warm weather next week and I don’t think the new centre court roof will see much action. Temperatures look like they will get up to the mid-20s from Tuesday onwards.” With Murraymania beginning to simmer ahead of the championships it seems the country’s weather has chosen to heat up at the right time.
“Monday looks like it’s going to be a fine day with some sunshine, although there is a very slight chance of a shower or two,” Barry added. “But from Tuesday onwards we are going to see temperatures climb throughout the week. It could reach 80F (26C) in places.
“It looks like being a very nice start to Wimbledon.”
The hottest day of the year so far was on May 31 when the thermometer reached a sweltering 26.4C in London and the Solent. Last month the Met Office said Britain was “oddson for a barbecue summer” and predicted would be below average over each of the next three months.
Temparatures could top 86F (30C), according to their longrange forecast.
