Northern Ireland weather: Temperatures not to rise to 'extreme heat' levels but remain around 20 °C over weekend

Meteorologist Alex Burkill said today there will be ‘heavy, persistent rain across many northern and western parts of the UK this afternoon’.

He added that ‘conditions in the south and east will turn drier and much hotter, with highs in the upper twenties, ahead of an approaching heatwave’.

And tomorrow in Northern Ireland (Saturday) will see ‘high pressure bringing sunshine for most’ whilst ‘brighter weather will feel feel warm’.

And the Northern Ireland weather forecast advises of temperatures of 19 °C.

Whilst this evening and the first part of the night ‘will see showers or some longer spells of rain’ whilst ‘becoming drier and clearer later in the night’.

There will be a minimum temperature 12 °C.

Tomorrow the Met Office says ‘all parts will have a dry day with variable amounts of cloud and sunny spells’ with a maximum temperature 20 °C.’

The outlook for Sunday to Tuesday is: ‘Dry on Sunday and Monday with some warm spells of sunshine. Becoming cloudier on Tuesday’.

This news comes as an amber extreme heat warning has been issued for parts of the UK next week by the Met Office, as a new heatwave could see temperatures climb up to 34C.

The warning was posted for Monday and Tuesday for London, the east and south-east of England, and parts of the south-west of England and Wales.

It means there are potential health impacts for people vulnerable to extreme heat and heat-related issues for the wider population, and a possible increase in water safety incidents, the forecaster said.

The warning, which differs from amber heat health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), comes as another heatwave is expected to sweep parts of the UK during the weekend and early next week.

Areas in southern and eastern England are likely to meet the heatwave threshold during the weekend, and there is a 40% chance of exceeding the highest ever temperature for June, which is 35.6C set in 1957 and 1976, the Met Office said.

East Anglia could record 32C on Friday before the hot spell temporarily shifts away from the UK, leaving Saturday with a potential high of 28C.

But temperatures are set to rise again from Sunday, as some areas in the south and south-east of England are forecast to reach 32C on Sunday and then push up to 34C on Monday for some.

Amber heat health alerts were previously posted by the UKHSA for the east, south-east and south-west of England, as well as London, from 12pm on Thursday until 8pm on Tuesday.

Greg Wolverson, deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: “While heatwave criteria will be met for some in the south and south-east of England over the weekend, with temperatures into the low 30sC possible, the warmth will expand and intensify at the start of next week, which, coupled with high temperatures overnight, leads to potential impacts.

“Temperatures will peak around the mid-30sC on Monday and Tuesday. The humidity will also mean this feels close, warmer and more uncomfortable for many.

“Tropical nights – where the temperature doesn’t drop below 20C – are also likely for some.”

The warmth may bring some thundery downpours for some on Monday and Tuesday, though these should be “fairly isolated”, the Met Office said.

The very high temperatures could continue across a smaller part of the country into the middle of the week, but this remains uncertain for now, the forecaster added.

Ahead of the heatwave, the Met Office issued advice on how to keep safe in extreme temperatures, including staying hydrated, avoiding any exercise between 11am and 3pm when the sun is strongest, closing curtains in rooms that face the sun and wearing sunscreen and a hat when outside.

It also said people heading to coastal areas, lakes or rivers should be mindful that sea surface temperatures are not as high as they would be in midsummer.

At least 15 people died after getting into trouble in open water during a hot spell in May.