UK weather forecast: Heatwave to sweep country next week as 34C temperatures forecast
Thunderstorm and rain warnings in place for some places this weekend before mercury soars
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Your support makes all the difference.A heatwave is expected to mark the beginning of the school summer holidays next week as temperatures soar to 34C.
Unsettled weather will continue for many throughout the start of the weekend, with thunderstorm warnings in place for parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland in coming days.
Forecasters are predicting a north-south divide in the weather, with northwestern parts set to see spells of rain, which could be heavy at times, as well as strong winds.
However experts predict temperatures could soar to 34C in places on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing “hot and humid” conditions.
Holidaymakers heading to Europe for the start of the school holidays next week could also find themselves seeking shelter as temperatures rise into the 40s.
Popular tourist spots in France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany and Greece are all set to be hit by the heatwave.
Met Office forecaster Andy Page said: “As we head into next week temperatures will increase daily across much of England and Wales as hot air is drawn up from France and Spain.
“Temperatures could reach 34C by Wednesday in parts of central, southern or eastern areas and heatwave thresholds are likely to be reached in some places.”
The spell of hot weather in southern parts of the UK is expected to arrive after unsettled weather and heavy rain clear over the weekend.
Yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms are in place for Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland until 10am on Saturday.
Warnings for rain have also been issued from 6pm on Sunday to 6am on Tuesday.
The RAC has warned the wet weather will only add to the poor driving conditions on “Frantic Friday” – when more than 5.3 million leisure car journeys are expected to be made as families get away for summer.
The roads will continue to be congested over the weekend, as five million leisure trips are planned for Saturday, followed by 3.4 million on Sunday.
Rod Dennis, from the RAC, said: “As thousands of families take to the car to head off on holiday drivers are going to have to take particular care and could have, not just queues of traffic, but also heavy rain and gusty winds, to contend with, at least at the start of the weekend.
“It is vital motorists check their vehicles are ready for longer drives – breakdowns are never welcome in any weather, but being stuck at the side of the road in the wind and rain is surely one of the worst ways of starting a well-earned summer break.”
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