UK heading for heatwave

12:18 24 June 2009

In a week that includes both the Wimbledon tournament and Glastonbury festival, the weather condition has always been of paramount importance to audiences and performers alike.

And to their delight, if the forecast is anything to go by, there may be even be a heatwave this week.

Britain is set to experience the warmest weather so far this year with blue skies, bright sunshine and light summer breezes over much of the UK until the weekend.

Thursday is set to be the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures hitting 30C, while Friday may contain the odd blast of thunder, a warm week following is also predicted.

Temperatures will reach well above the average daily maximum of 20C for June.

Met Office national forecaster Dean Snowden said: "There is going to be a good deal of fine, dry weather. It would easily be the hottest weather we have seen so far this year.

"The middle part of the week will be the sunniest, with it remaining warm and humid, then there will be a risk of showers at the end of the week.

"This is mostly likely to affect many places in the south of the UK, with the odd shower or thunderstorm breaking out. But thanks to strong winds, this should blow over quite quickly, and it will stay warm.

"It could get close to 30C in the middle of the week, and will become warm and quite humid because of high pressure building across the UK in the earlier part of the week.

"It will get warmer and warmer, but those areas where it is hottest are more likely to have showers on Friday.

"Into next week there is more of a risk of showers, which will clear the humidity and make it fresher.

"It will be great weather this week for Wimbledon, and should be generally nice for Glastonbury, even though there will be the occasional shower over the weekend."