Exact dates as Saharan plume set for UK amid forecast of 'historical heatwave'

It's going to get hot. The UK is predicted to experience a "very big" and "historic" heatwave this summer as a Saharan plume is set to hit the country, according to Exacta Weather's James Madden.

So it's shaping up to be a scorcher, it seems. Mr Madden pointed out: "The start of the meteorological summer does now look favourably warm to hot at times during June, with the potential for a very BIG and maybe even historical heatwave within this same period (more favourable for the bigger heatwave/heat dome scenario in July)."

Prior to that, the end of May is forecasted to mark the beginning of our next heatwave. From Sunday, 19th May to Tuesday, 21st May, temperatures will begin to rise, peaking between May 24 and 26, bringing record warmth for the year.

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As we approach the record-breaking 25C hottest day of the year, most areas of the country can anticipate basking in bright and sunny weather. The Met Office outlook for May 20 to May 29 suggests "The week should start on a reasonable note in many areas, with a fair amount of dry and bright weather, especially in southern parts of the UK.

"Further north and west there will always be more in the way of cloud with a risk of some showers or spells of rain at times. Through the rest of the period it looks likely that fairly typical conditions will dominate across all parts, with northern and western areas often most at risk of outbreaks of rain, while further south and east will see the best of the drier and brighter interludes," reports Birmingham Live.

"There is a risk of showers even here though which at this time of year are prone to being heavy with occasional thunder. Temperatures will probably remain a little above average." The BBC Weather team says Monday May 27 marks a shift towards conditions "warmer".

It states: "Some of them tend to keep areas of low pressure south of the UK. High pressure is more likely to lie over continental Central Europe and extend as far as Scandinavia. The latter could provide slightly drier and calmer conditions at times, especially in northern and eastern areas."

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