Met Office's sad UK weather verdict - more like March than June

Met Office forecasts suggest this week's weather may "feel more like March" due to plummeting temperatures and winds from the north. The incoming Arctic winds are expected to cause a temperature drop of up to 6C below the average for this time of year, with some regions such as Aberdeen bracing for lows of around 11C this afternoon, the Met Office understands.

On a recent video forecasting the week's weather, Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said: "At times it will look like the middle of June but, for most of this week, it won't feel like the middle of June, certainly the start of the week is on the chilly side as this low pressure brought some wet weather across the southeast on Monday morning."

He added:: "High pressure is nearby but we're kind of between high and low pressure, which means the air is coming down from the Arctic, hence the chill. It is going to be feeling pretty fresh, certainly for the next couple of days - we will see something of a change as we go towards the end of the week but it's not going to warm up significantly."

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"When we compare those temperatures to the average for the middle of June, you can see that pretty much across the board we are below average and, in some places, quite a bit below - 3 to 6 degrees in places. So it will feel quite chilly on Tuesday - not really feeling like June at all, in fact probably feeling more like March with those northerly winds bringing quite a lot of cloud and a few showers over northern and eastern Scotland," reports The Mirror.

In Gloucestershire today (Wednesday, June 12), we can expect highs of 17C and lows of 8C and it will become mainly overcast. Thursday will see rain in the afternoon and temperature ranging from 11C to 16. Overnight lows on Friday could be 9C but by Monday and Tuesday daytime highs could hit 20C.

Meanwhile, the prospect of basking in an "Azores High" akin to the warm spells relished in Mediterranean locales like Portugal is looking up for the UK, says a weather expert. This band of high pressure, known as the "Azores High" due to its origins in the North Atlantic, is predicted to sweep northwestward across the country as the month draws to a close.

Supporting this forecast, climate maps unveiled today suggest Brits can look forward to more agreeable weather towards the latter part of June.

A Netweather forecaster indicated a shift in the weather pattern, stating on their blog: "There are signs that the Azores High will strengthen, as is common towards the end of June, and throw up some ridges north-eastwards towards the British Isles, associated with the traditional late June pattern shift towards a stronger Azores High and stronger westerlies on its northern flank."

"The high pressure may ridge across the country more generally later in the week (Monday June 24 to Sunday June 30), perhaps with changeable south-westerlies coming into north-western Britain, though eastern England in particular will remain prone to northerly winds."

Met Office South West forecast

Today: After a fresh start, today will generally be brighter than yesterday with variable cloud cover, sunny spells and the outside chance of a light shower. Sunny periods becoming more frequent later this afternoon and feeling somewhat warmer with light winds. Maximum temperature 18 °C.

Tonight: Some evening sunshine for many and remaining clear this evening and into the overnight hours. Another chilly night, especially in the countryside. Increasing amounts of cloud by the morning. Minimum temperature 4 °C.

Thursday: Eastern counties starting bright but cloud and showery rain spreading from the west, turning heavier and more persistent through the afternoon. Becoming windy with gales possible on western coasts. Cooler. Maximum temperature 16 °C.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday: A changeable and showery period of weather, with the showers heavy and blustery at times with local thunderstorms. Some drier periods too and feeling warm in the sunnier spells.