UK Weather: Summer Set to Return as Met Office Confirms ‘Temperatures Will Climb’
Britain has been riding the rollercoaster of summer weather. After the fourth heatwave of 2025 swept the nation, temperatures dropped sharply over recent days. But don’t pack away the shorts just yet.
The Met Office has forecast a return to balmy conditions, hinting that this weekend could bring a touch of much-needed warmth.
Last week saw sweltering heat across the UK, with mercury soaring above 30 °C in several regions. The extreme temperatures weren’t just a UK story, the heatwave engulfed much of Europe, sparking devastating wildfires in Spain, Greece, and Portugal.
Now, as the intense heat fades, thermometers have dipped into the low 20s. But the Met Office suggests the respite may be brief.
Taking to X, the UK’s national weather service shared: “High pressure will be building towards the weekend to provide a largely settled picture. Temperatures will climb slightly as well – not as high as the recent heat, but some pleasant warmth.”
They added: “Stay up to date with the forecast to see if this holds on for bank holiday Monday.”
High pressure will be building towards the weekend to provide a largely settled picture ️
Temperatures will climb slightly as well – not as high as the recent heat, but some pleasant warmth ️
Stay up to date with the forecast to see if this holds on for bank holiday Monday pic.twitter.com/URNiUshGyn
— Met Office (@metoffice) August 20, 2025
Weekend Outlook
The nationwide forecast is cautiously optimistic. Bank Holiday Monday is expected to be fairly settled, with light winds and sunny spells continuing the trend set over the weekend.
In Greater Manchester, temperatures are predicted to peak at 24C, dipping to 12C overnight, with rainfall expected to be minimal.
Record-Breaking Summer on the Horizon
Summer 2025 could prove historic. According to the Met Office, the average UK temperature from 1 June to 17 August currently sits at 16.2 °C — 1.6C °C above the long-term average.
Met Office scientist Emily Carlisle explained: “It’s looking like this summer is on track to be one of the warmest, if not ‘the’ warmest, since the series began in 1884.
What’s striking is the consistency of the warmth. June and July were both well above average and even outside of heatwaves, temperatures have remained on the warmer side.”
She continued: “This persistent warmth is driven by a combination of factors including dry ground from spring, high-pressure systems, and unusually warm seas around the UK.
These conditions have created an environment where heat builds quickly and lingers. While we haven’t seen record-breaking highs, with 35.8C the peak so far this year, the overall trend in consistently above-average temperatures is what matters.”
Carlisle highlighted that the warmest UK summers are closely grouped, citing 2018 as the hottest on record, followed by 2006, 2003, 2022, and 1976.
With two weeks still to go, she noted, “things could of course change, but the data so far strongly suggests we’re heading towards one of the UK’s hottest summers on record.”
