Home / Editor's Pick /

Temperatures on the rise: Are we set for a heatwave?

10:12
11 April 2024

Temperatures on the rise
Are we set for a heatwave?

City in heatwaveCould summer arrive early with a spring heatwave? It's unlikely.

Temperatures are rising in the coming days, with some reports of a heatwave in the UK and Ireland... but is that accurate?

Heatwaves are not defined by a set nationwide temperature, instead individual counties are given their own threshold based on the average temperatures typically recorded there.

These thresholds range from 25°C to 28°C, when these are surpassed for three consecutive days, an official heatwave is declared.

Will we see a heatwave soon?

Temperatures over the coming days look set to peak with a high of 20°C in the north-east and east of England, Thursday and Friday.

Changing thresholds

In 2022, eight counties in the UK adjusted their heatwave threshold to account for rising average temperatures.

Following this, we see highs slightly reduce into the weekend, though remaining in the high-teens.

Which means, despite some headlines, we won't see an official heatwave any time soon.

Report: UK should name heatwavesread more
Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
People walk through muddy streets after heavy rain, alongside a rain map of Morocco.
Tuesday, 16 December 2025

New rainfall in sight

Fatalities in Moroccan floods
Shooting stars, part of the Geminid meteor shower.
Saturday, 13 December 2025

Spot a shooting star

King of meteor showers at its peak
Weather map showing temperatures and a 4,542 mile route arrow over the Atlantic. Symbols indicate sun, clouds and precipitation from North America to Europe.
Wednesday, 17 December 2025

From Europe to America

Weather front over 4,500 miles long
All weather news
This might also interest you
Split weather map showing UK wind speeds in orange-red shades up to 40 mph on the left and warning levels in green-yellow on the right, with a central wind warning sign.
Wednesday, 22 October 2025

Warnings active

Storm Benjamin impacts the UK
Split weather map showing the UK and Ireland. The left side illustrates strong winds circulating around a low-pressure system, with gusts of 20–30 mph highlighted in orange and yellow. The right side shows radar imagery with widespread blue rain bands and patches of thunderstorms, especially over northern England and Scotland.
Thursday, 28 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Remaining widely unsettled
plit image showing a double rainbow over a rocky shoreline on the left and sheep grazing in a green field under stormy clouds on the right.
Sunday, 2 November 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mixed conditions on an unsettled week
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList