**UK Swelters in First Major Heatwave of the Year, With Thunderstorms Set to Follow**
The UK is preparing for its hottest day of 2025 so far, as forecasters anticipate temperatures in parts of eastern England to potentially climb to a sizzling 30°C on Friday, just before the Met Office’s warnings of significant thunderstorms take effect later the same day.
The rise in temperature will see cities such as Cambridge nudging 29°C, with Canterbury looking to reach approximately 27°C. Further north, Nottingham and Durham are both expected to peak at 25°C. Scotland will also enjoy an unseasonably warm day, as Aviemore could record highs of around 24°C, according to forecaster Alex Deakin from the Met Office.
Should the mercury rise to the predicted 30°C in the east of England, it will surpass the previous 2025 record of 29.3°C, reported at Kew Gardens in west London back in May. Comparatively, parts of the UK will even outshine holiday hotspots such as Ibiza and Mykonos, as well as Los Angeles in the United States.
For most of Friday, a large swathe of England and southern Scotland is expected to remain dry and bathed in sunshine, offering many a chance to relish the rare June warmth. Nevertheless, Alex Deakin cautioned that “beefy showers” would affect Wales and western England, after what is set to be a humid opening to the day.
As the day wears on, conditions will shift. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms, covering areas including London, Wales, the south east and south west of England, the east, and the West Midlands. The warning, which stretches into the overnight hours, signals a risk of heavy downpours, gusty winds, hail, and potential disruption such as localised flooding.
“It will be notably cooler in far south west England as rain arrives later in the afternoon,” Mr Deakin commented. He emphasised that, while not all places in the warning zone would experience severe weather, some could see intense bursts bringing 30 to 50mm of rain in a short period, before conditions eventually calm by Saturday morning.
Cities and towns likely to be affected by the warning include Cardiff, Plymouth, Bath, Greater London, Brighton, and Norwich. The potential for severe rain extends into Saturday, although some uncertainties remain. It is anticipated that the north of England, Northern Ireland, and parts of Scotland could see further heavy rain, while thunderstorms may reappear in southern regions by the afternoon.
The extraordinary temperature spike has prompted the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to issue its first yellow heat-health warning of 2025. The alert, which is in effect until 8am on Sunday, covers the east of England, East Midlands, London, and the south east. Under the national Weather-Health alerting system administered by UKHSA and the Met Office, a yellow alert indicates an increased likelihood of healthcare services being used by more vulnerable populations.
Those especially at risk during these weather extremes include older adults, particularly anyone over 65, and people with existing health conditions such as respiratory or cardiovascular illnesses. The combined effect of heat and sudden rain could create further complications for those already struggling with ill health.
Britain’s rapidly changing weather serves as a timely reminder of the need for preparedness. Local authorities are advising the public to take sensible precautions, including staying hydrated, using sun protection, and checking on the wellbeing of vulnerable neighbours. The possibility of sudden, heavy rain highlights the unpredictable nature of British summer weather and the importance of staying abreast of latest Met Office updates.
As climate patterns become increasingly erratic, episodes of extreme heat followed by intense rainfall may become more familiar. The public is encouraged to monitor weather bulletins and heed suggestions from health and safety agencies as conditions can alter with little warning.