With last week’s heatwave firmly in the rear-view mirror, the UK has shifted to a more changeable pattern of weather for the time being, so what are some of the online headlines making of the outlook?
As we’ve reached half way in meteorological summer, drought is on the agenda while the UK has been warmer than average so far according to provisional Met Office figures.
This week’s weather has been more mixed for many, with less in the way of wall-to-wall sunshine and more frequent periods of rain or showers for some. The changeable theme is set to continue in the current UK weather forecast, with warnings for thunderstorms over the next few days, as well as a rise in temperatures for some.
Here, we look at how some online headlines are reflecting the ongoing weather forecast.
How much rain is in a rain bomb?
“Maps show 740-mile rain bomb set to drench UK in weekend washout,” says one online headline.
What our forecast says: While ‘rain-bomb’ isn’t a meteorological term, there is a good deal of unsettled weather forecast for the weekend. Showers, rain and some thunderstorms are likely at times. Low pressure dominates the weekend forecast, with associated fronts (of varying lengths, not necessarily 740 miles) bringing periods of rain, and a rise in temperatures helping to trigger some potentially impactful thunderstorms, which has resulted in warnings being issued. These are likely to be refined as confidence increases in the coming days.
Another headline focuses on the upcoming warnings: “Met Office issues yellow storm warning TODAY ahead of ‘thundery showers’ this weekend as temperatures drop.”
What our forecast says: The Met Office has indeed issued yellow thunderstorm warnings today, with various areas of the UK covered today (Thursday), Friday and Saturday. These warnings highlight the risk of travel disruption, as well as the possibility of flooding in some places. It’s worth checking the warnings where you are. However, temperatures aren’t really dropping in the way the headline states. It’s actually a rise in temperatures from the south over the weekend that could help to trigger some thunderstorms.
Or is there another heatwave on the way?
“Met Office warns UK could be plunged into fourth heatwave after thunderstorms,” says one headline focused on potential warmth.
What our forecast says: It’s important to note that there are currently no Met Office warnings for heat over the weekend. Thunderstorms are the focus for impactful weather. While temperatures will rise for some – particularly in the southeast – over the weekend, cloud and rain means it won’t feel all that pleasant for many. There’s a chance some isolated weather stations in the southeast could have a ‘technical heatwave’ – where a threshold is breached for three consecutive days – but it won’t be widespread and won’t feel like a heatwave compared to recent weeks.
“Where might the UK’s fourth heatwave of the summer hit?” asks one headline.
What our forecast says: Some isolated spots in the southeast could have a ‘technical heatwave’ over the weekend, as stated above, but it won’t feel all that pleasant for many, with the increase in temperatures and humidity helping to trigger some potentially impactful thunderstorms through the weekend.
“Temperatures set to hit 30C in parts of UK this week,” says another headline.
What our forecast says: Temperatures could indeed reach 30C in parts of London on Friday in what will also feel like a humid day for many in the south. However, it’s later on Friday and into Saturday that the chances of thunderstorms increases, especially for those within the warning areas.
Find out more on how weather is forecast and displayed with some online news providers.
Find out more about what heatwaves are and how they’re defined.
