After a record-breaking weekend for the year of more than 33C, conditions have dropped off slightly across the UK – but the baking hot weather won’t be away for too long
More sweltering sunshine is just around the corner for much of the UK as temperatures are set to once again hit the mid-30s.
After miserably wet start to the summer, June has turned into an absolute scorcher. The Met Office declared the the hottest day of the year so far on Saturday (June 21) afternoon as Charlwood in Surrey reached 33.2C. Since then, the sweltering heat has dropped off a little as figures hovered around a more bearable low to mid-20s today (June 23). However, the blisteringly hot days and sticky nights in bed look like they will soon return.
According to a weather map by WXCharts, which uses Met Desk data, temperatures will have creeped back up to 30C by 6pm on Monday, June 30. This is likely to only be in London and Kent, though.
But the rest of the capital’s surrounding counties, including Surrey, Essex, Hertfordshire and Berkshire, will still enjoy temperatures around 28C to 29C. This is in contrast the north of the UK, where Manchester, for example, will be a full 10C cooler at 19C.
While up in Scotland there are projected lows of just 11C at the tip of the mainland in Wick. Conditions are looking much better on Tuesday, July 1 though as the hottest day of 2025 could well be rewritten.
By 6pm, much of the Midlands, including Birmingham, could see mercury levels hit a staggering 35C. While in and around London is forecast to hit around 33C or 34C.
Elsewhere, most of the stretch of land between Manchester and Newcastle are expected to be in the early 30Cs. In Wales, the capital Cardiff is predicted to enjoy 30C with even Wick could hit a potential 21C. Belfast in Northern Ireland could also see a pleasant 20C.
The recent heatwave has prompted calls for bosses to ease up on dress codes, offer more breaks and promote flexible working hours to help staff cope with the excessive heat. Ditching jackets and ties is recommended, while providing a regular flow of cold drinks has been put forward by the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
The union body also recommends that employees should allow workers to either start work earlier or finish later to avoid hot rush hour travel conditions. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “Most of us will welcome the chance to enjoy some proper summer weather, but this weather isn’t much fun if you’re stuck in an overheated workplace.
“Indoor workplaces should be kept at comfortable temperatures, with relaxed dress codes and flexible working to make use of the coolest hours of the day. Employers must make sure outdoor workers are protected with regular breaks, lots of fluids, plenty of sunscreen and the right protective clothing.
“With heatwaves becoming more common, we need to adapt. We need new laws on maximum working temperatures, improvements to workplaces to keep them cool, and climate action to reduce global heating.”
While Rachel Suff, employee relations adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), added: “During periods of hot weather employers should take proactive steps to ensure the wellbeing and comfort of their staff. This includes offering flexible working arrangements where possible, for example allowing employees to work from home if they are more comfortable and productive there, or flexible working hours where roles can’t be done from home.