20 April 2023 , 12:29
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The Met Office has had its say on whether Brits can expect to once again bake in a 40C heatwave this summer.
Rumours have been flying around, based on various forecasts and charts.
But the national weather agency says that it is not yet possible to accurately predict the highest temperature that far in advance.
In a post on Twitter, it said: "There are a few misleading headlines around about heatwaves at the moment.
"Here's our #FactCheck on the current forecast, and a reminder that it's not possible to forecast the highest temperature this summer at this range."
Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts
Some forecasters are suggesting another major heatwave is on the cards (Getty Images)In its tweet was a cropped image of a headline reading: 'Britain bracing for tropical blast with record temperatures of 40C'.
It's unclear if it was referring to weather in the coming days or the summer, but the Met Office seemed to take it as a the former.
It said: "This is not an accurate headline for the current forecast period.
"It's turning cooler and more unsettled for most through the weekend and into early next week.
"Temperatures will likely return closer to average in early May, which tends to be in the teens during the day for most."
An expert has previously claimed that extreme heat could hit the UK due to the combination of climate change and El Niño, a weather pattern with warmer-than-average temperatures.
The latest forecast says rain is expected this Sunday, April 23, in a major blow to those running the London Marathon.
Last year Brits basked in temperatures far exceeding the norm (Getty Images/iStockphoto)This will ease into ‘light showers’ by lunchtime.
The Met Office revealed in January the UK recorded an annual average temperature of more than 10C for the first time, as it confirmed 2022 as the hottest year on record.
Top meteorologists pointed toward climate change as the driving force behind the temperatures last year, which saw over 40C recorded in the country for the first time.
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2022 was named the hottest year on record for the UK (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)Dr Mark McCarthy, head of the Met Office National Climate Information Centre, said: "Although an arbitrary number, the UK surpassing an annual average temperature of 10C is a notable moment in our climatological history.
"This moment comes as no surprise, since 1884 all the 10 years recording the highest annual temperature have occurred from 2003.
"It is clear from the observational record that human-induced global warming is already impacting the UK’s climate."
UK 5 day weather forecast
Today:
Fine and sunny for most. A brisk easterly breeze will make it feel chilly on exposed coasts whilst sheltered western areas become warm. Turning cloudy with some rain and showers in the southeast later, perhaps heavy into the evening.
Tonight:
Dry and mainly clear in Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England. Cloudy elsewhere with rain or showers at times in the southeast. Breezy for most.
Friday:
Fine and dry in north. Cloudier for much of England and Wales with outbreaks of rain mainly in central and eastern England. Sunny spells and showers developing in south.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
Unsettled Saturday with showers or longer spells of rain. Turning increasingly cold with wintry showers from Sunday in Scotland, then more widely cold from Monday.