Northern Ireland 'more pleasant' as UK braces for heat wave 'hotter than Barbados', says Met Office
A heatwave will leave parts of the UK hotter than Barbados this weekend – but Northern Ireland will have a more "pleasant" warm spell, the Met Office says.
Temperatures are expected to climb steadily into the high 20s across the UK later this week, and 30C could be reached in southern parts of England by Friday.
Some areas in the south and south-east of England are likely to see heat wave criteria met by Saturday and more widely on Sunday, as 32C could be hit in the warmest locations – and possibly 33C on Monday. Barbados is set to see temperatures of 26-30C on Sunday by comparison.
Met Office Meteorologist Honor Criswick said temperatures for NI until Monday will be 19-22C compared to the average 17C for June - but with some heavy rain.
"The top temperature for NI on Thursday is around 21C," she told the News Letter. “It will feel rather humid too, and will often be cloudy with some heavy rain.”
Friday will see highs of 19C, humid and again with spells of heavy rain. Saturday will be drier with bright and sunny spells and highs of 20C and Sunday will be similar with possible highs of 22C. Monday will probably be another warm day with a risk of some showers.
"Overall, it will probably be more of a pleasant warm spell compared to the conditions in part of England, though it will feel humid in Northern Ireland at times,” she added.
The Met Office defines a heat wave as three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heat wave temperature threshold – 25C across Scotland, NI, Wales and parts of the south-west of England, and 28C in the greater London area.