Home / Editor's Pick /

What does it mean? Heatwave possibly on the way

09:00
16 June 2025

What does it mean?
Heatwave possibly on the way

A warm start to the week, which sticks around for a possible heatwave towards the weekend.

It remains warm across the UK, with talk of an imminent heatwave, but what does this mean?

The definition of a heatwave varies globally, but in the UK is defined by the Met Office as three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures reaching or rising above the heatwave criteria.

The heatwave criteria varies by county, ranging between 25°C and 28°C. For example, Northern Ireland's criteria is 25°C, as is large parts of Scotland, Northern England and Wales.

Much of London and the Home Counties, however, are required to reach 28°C, across three days, to warrant an official heatwave.

With these numbers in mind, it looks likely that parts of the UK may experience the first heatwave of the year towards the end of the week.

When these conditions arrive, remember the sunscreen if heading out, stay hydrated, and try to avoid spending too much time in the midday Sun.

UV forecasts on Weather & Radarread more
Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
pinecones
Thursday, 11 December 2025

Winter helpers

How pine cones aid the weather forecast
Weather radar showing clouds and showers over Algeria and Morocco. Next to it, a warning map with the rain area in Algeria marked. Surrounding regions mostly sunny and dry.
Thursday, 18 December 2025

Algeria affected

Rain in the desert
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
Weather graphic showing rain and wind fields over the Canary Islands and a central warning symbol.
Friday, 12 December 2025

Storm and rain

Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands
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
Mammatus clouds
Thursday, 21 August 2025

Unusual view

Mammatus clouds over Ireland
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