The British summer has finally decided to make an appearance – like a ‘pollen bomb’ exploding in almost every part of the country.
In the first heat wave of the year, temperatures will reach 29C in London and parts of the south-east, while most of England will reach highs of up to 27C.
So grab your sunglasses, flip flops and beach gear because the day we never thought would come is almost upon us.
However, life is all about balance. This mild weather is joined by a “pollen bomb” where plants and fungi release millions of pollen grains at once.
Where will the “pollen bomb” end up?
Almost one in two Britons suffer from hay fever. With high pollen counts for the next five days, we can expect lots of runny noses and itchy eyes everywhere except northern Scotland.
According to the Met Office pollen forecast, the only UK regions not to see “very high” pollen today are the Highlands and Eilean Siar and Orkney and Shetland.
“Grass pollen will rise in warm, dry weather. Stinging nettle, dock and plantain too,” says the National Weather Service.
“Spores: Some Alternaria and moderate Cladosporium when warm; Leptosphaeria after rain.’
The pollen count will stay the same until Wednesday, when hay fever sufferers will finally get some relief. Well, by small we mean six entire regions that will be either medium or high levels rather than very high.
Experts told Metro.co.uk earlier this year about that pollen season it starts around March and lasts until Septemberso now we are at the worst.
Pollen counts tend to rise as temperatures rise, which is why the heat wave caused the “pollen bomb” to go off.
When does the heat start?
The Met Office has predicted that a potentially gray start to the weekend will be scorched by hot and humid weather from Sunday.
But don’t worry if you’re in other parts of the UK like Cornwall, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – it’ll still be a pleasant 22-24C.
Met Office forecasters said parts of central and southern England would reach potential heat levels with constant sunshine until Wednesday, providing a welcome break from the bleak misery of 2024.
“After a short and less settled spell today and tomorrow, good conditions will return by Sunday and early next week,” Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Rudman said.
“This will be accompanied by a rise in temperatures across much of the UK, with many places reaching the mid 20s.
“Some central and southern areas are likely to see temperatures approaching the values needed for heat conditions.
“Heatwaves are set to remain in place for three consecutive days and it is possible that parts of the UK could reach heatwave thresholds by early to mid next week.
“However, whether everyone experiences heatwave thresholds or not, most of the UK will experience the hottest temperatures so far this year.”
Weather warning
The arrival of a potential heatwave has prompted the RNLI to issue a warning to people planning to hit the beach to stay safe while cooling off in the water.
Samantha Hughes, National Water Safety Partner at the RNLI, said: “The warm weather forecast will mean we will see more visitors to the coast and we always want people to have a safe time.
“Entering the water during warm weather can increase the risk of cold water shock due to sudden changes in skin temperatures. Enter the water gradually and avoid jumping or diving directly into the water to reduce the risk of cold water shock.
“If you are going to the beach, we highly recommend visiting the beach with a lifeguard and swimming between the red and yellow flags. This is the safest area and is most closely monitored by lifeguards.
“If you get into trouble in the water, swim to live. Tilt your head back with your ears under the water and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to stay afloat, then call for help or swim to safety if you can.
“In an emergency on the coast call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard or ask for the fire brigade if you are near inland waters.”
The brief spell of hot weather is likely to end, however, heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected Tuesday night.
The Met Office added: “While temperatures could peak on Wednesday, it also looks like we could see a breakdown of this high pressure from Tuesday night into Wednesday as things become more unsettled.
“There is also a chance of some heavy showers or thunderstorms in places with this disturbance, with the most persistent rain likely to be in the west or south-west.”
Contact our news team by email at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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