Sun-lovers will have plenty to smile about as we move into the final week of June – with Suffolk and north Essex set to be hit by a sweltering heatwave.
Forecasters are predicting a sustained period of unseasonably warm weather across the region, complete with super-hot temperatures, high UV levels, and near zero chance of rainfall.
It has been a beautiful weekend across Suffolk and north Essex, with Cavendish seeing highs of 23.2C on Saturday, and temperatures in Broom’s Barn near Bury St Edmunds peaking at 24.6C on Sunday.
However things are set to get even hotter as the week goes on, with potential for the mercury to hit a scorching 30C this weekend – rivalling European hotspots such as Barcelona and Naples.
Weatherquest forecaster Dan Holley predicted temperatures tomorrow could reach 27 or 28C in west Suffolk, with very little in the way of cloud – making for perfect blue skies.
While things will be a little cooler towards the coast, we are still likely to see highs of 17 or 18C, with only light winds of 10 or 11mph.
Things will look a little different on Tuesday morning, as sea fog is set to develop overnight on Monday. However, the sun will still be strong, and by mid to late morning many places should see bright skies once again. With highs of 26C, the region is still set to bask in Mediterranean-style weather.
As the week goes on, the unseasonably warm weather will continue – with highs of 25C on Wednesday and 29C on Thursday.
However Mr Holley said it was difficult to predict what might happen next.
“Friday onwards is a bit of a question mark,” he said, adding that the weekend could see temperatures of anywhere between 18C and 30C – depending on the wind direction.
With the recent surge in hot weather has come a substantial lack of showers – with East Anglia seeing just 10% of its normal rainfall, and no rain predicted for the next two weeks.
Mr Holley said it is quite possible that this could be the driest June on record.
He added that UV levels will be high throughout the week – urging sun-lovers to cover up as much as possible, and layer on the sun cream.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re on the coast or inland,” he said. “It has got nothing to do with the air temperature.”
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