**Britain Set to Sizzle: Temperatures Soar Above Tenerife Before Weather Takes a Turn**
The United Kingdom is braced for a burst of early summer heat this weekend, with forecasters predicting that temperatures could outpace those seen in popular holiday destinations, including Tenerife. According to meteorologists, parts of Britain are expected to experience highs reaching 27°C—well above the 25°C forecasted for the Canary Islands.
This heatwave marks a remarkable end to one of the sunniest springs in UK history, as provisional Met Office figures reveal a staggering 630 hours of sunshine between 1 March and 27 May across the nation. Residents basking in the unseasonably warm conditions might feel as if they are enjoying a Mediterranean break without leaving home. However, the recent sunshine is set to be tempered by an approaching spell of changeable weather, and people are being advised to make the most of the warm spell while it lasts.
Meteorologist Zoe Hutin from the Met Office explained that Friday saw temperatures soar to 25.7°C at Heathrow Airport, making it nearly 7°C warmer than would be typical for this time of year. She indicated that Saturday’s weather could push the mercury even higher. “The south-east in particular is likely to see some of the most intense heat and humidity, but this is expected to mark the final day of exceptionally warm and muggy conditions,” Hutin noted, hinting at a shift on the horizon.
Although southern and eastern England are forecast to enjoy largely dry weather over the weekend, the rest of the UK may not be so fortunate. A rain belt is predicted to sweep in on Saturday morning, chiefly affecting Northern Ireland and Scotland and bringing with it the threat of heavy downpours. Despite this, many in the south will still be able to enjoy uninterrupted sunshine for a little while longer.
Sunday is expected to usher in slightly cooler air, with temperatures more widely around 22°C. The unsettled conditions will persist, particularly in the northwest, where a second cloud band could bring further rainfall. Despite this, some areas in the south and east are set to remain dry, providing brief respite before the weather changes again.
The Met Office has described Monday—coinciding with the start of the meteorological summer—as a likely contender for the week’s driest day. However, the optimism is short-lived, as low pressure is forecast to dominate through the middle of next week. Alex Deakin, another meteorologist with the Met Office, has indicated that the prevailing winds from the Atlantic are set to linger, bringing an ongoing risk of showers and cloudy skies, particularly in western regions.
“Next week is shaping up to be unsettled,” Deakin remarked, noting that the Atlantic influence will keep the air relatively mild but also disappointingly damp for many. Western areas are likely to see continued rainfall, a stark contrast to the largely dry and warm spring brought about by easterly winds in recent months.
There could be a tentative shift by the end of the week, with indications that any wetter weather may focus more on northern regions, and southern areas may see drier spells returning—though forecasters warn this is merely a “hint” at this stage.
As always, with British weather’s reputation for unpredictability, the best advice remains to enjoy the sunshine while it lasts and to stay informed about upcoming changes. For those making weekend plans, especially outdoors, it would be wise to prepare both for sun and the possibility of showers, particularly in the north and west.
While the brief taste of near-continental weather is already making headlines, all eyes now turn to the coming week to see if summer will maintain its promising start, or revert to a more familiar variation of British unpredictability.