Summer 2026 (1st June ~ start of meteorological Summer)

[GloriaSmud]

Yesterday (1st June) marked the start of meteorological summer (and the high temperatures last week were hot enough for some and enough to last the year!)

At the moment, the GFS thinks the first 10 days of June are looking unsettled and changeable, then slightly drier/warmer towards the end of next week but the unsettled theme still continues until the middle of the month.

Thoughts from Netweather (from a few days ago) and TheWeatherOutlook on what summer might have in store for us.

Progress

@justasking111 saw the fire on the BBC website - is it out now? So scary.

Was scary last night when it came over the mountain towards my sons village thankfully it was stopped at the ridge. There's a tik tok video of someone setting off fireworks something to do with a dearly departed on the mountain on Saturday which might explain the three different sources of the fire.

I've opened the windows while it's cool we can smell the smoke. Apparently it can be smelt for many miles around.

Lucky France

Manchester had a red sunset because of smoke from the moorland wildfire at Dovestone. It was far redder than the picture shows, really eerie, and still smells smoky. I’m the other side of Manchester from Dovestone reservoir, it’s a huge plume of smoke visible on satellite images.

Can’t see much of a cool down on the horizon? It was forecast to drop right down to around 20 (SE) that seems to be now 25 on Saturday then back up to high 20s?

@Delatron no cool down in sight, so depressing I've given up looking

my area is more like 30 and then I suppose that will carry on to next week because the 26 that was so exciting to think about keeps getting delayed to Day 10 on the forecast

I haven't moaned for a full 24 hours, do I win prize 😂 yesthe flat is boiling and I think it's making my skin horrible.

about these fires. I had words with a bloke on a walk in the woods yesterday - he threw his cigarette into a bush. FFS i know i'm at risk of being punched but....FFS!

We have a wonderful breeze today. Thank goodness our fire appears to be under control. I'm in Leeds tomorrow. I blooming hate cities more so in the heat.

@justasking111 fireworks? How bloody irresponsible! Hope they get prosecuted.

It’s depressing to think that this might become a lot more common.

So another heatwave is upon us (I think it's no.3 now?) but looks like a bit of a change is coming over the weekend, with a change in wind redirection ~ thoughts from TheWeatherOutlook yesterday

Thanks Gloria yes no 3
I've looked at where we are going abroad and it looks like the worst of all worlds and I'm thinking of cancelling. It's 33/34 with rain .

North Sea fret today - shivering
long may it last !

That doesn't sound great, PaperTyger!

The only thing that I'm finding with this heatwave is that the temperatures are dropping off fairly quickly in the evenings and the nights are cooler ~ it was only 14C when we got up and the word 'chilly' was used in the house this morning!

i noticed it is less hot earlier, last week there were a lot of people walking their dogs around 9.30 pm, but monday, we were ok at 10.00 am and also at 7 pm last night.

That looks set to continue, HoraceCope, so hopefully most of us can enjoy cooler evenings/nights!

But there still isn't any rain showing up ~ there might be the odd thunderstorm pop up but apart from that, nothing else is forecast. Hopefully with the change in wind direction this weekend, it might signal signs that the high pressure that's been stuck over us is breaking down but it could be a slow process and a while before we see some decent amounts of rain....

Other impacts of the heatwaves for the UK/Europe ~ yesterday's thoughts from Netweather...

Was lovely in Leeds yesterday the university is at the top of the hill so a good breeze all day. I'm broken today though so much walking around and so much sitting. My back is in pieces.

The forecast here in n Wales is settled until next weekend when there are mutterings if rain. The fire services are still on the mountain damping down the ground because areas are smouldering away quietly.

One unexpected side effect of these heatwaves. Marine life. The fish, lobsters, crabs have just vanished the sea around our coastline is just too warm. What we have now are octopus and jelly fish in great numbers. Speaking to a couple of divers the hideyholes and kelp lobsters and fish like to hide in are empty.

The lobsters and crabs probably think they are already in the cooking pot, poor things.

It has been a lot cooler these past few days especially at night but it is also a lot cloudier and the sun isn't breaking through until noon-ish. Ground is rock hard though and my heart aches for the poor birds and animals that rely on worms to survive. Water bowls are out and used a lot but I can't replicate the worms unfortunately. I hate to say it but I can't wait for some rain 🌧☔

It's tough for the birds I agree.

I've been filling up our birdbath quite a lot so that the birds can have fresh water and also been sprinkling bird seed on the grass. Wouldn't normally feed them (or would just occasionally maybe) at this time of year but see it as an additional thing in case they have trouble finding food/haven't got the energy to look if they're struggling in the heat!

There's been dead birds in our communal garden and also in mum's garden. Maybe the water is not enough or drying up too quickly. They didn't look injured in any way. So trying to make sure there's enough. One actually looks like it was heading for it and then fell down dead before getting there.

We have proper cloud cover! Exciting stuff.

I actually have picked very few of my berries as I reckon the birds need them more than we do. The same doesn't apply to slugs.

I’ve picked loads of berries but have other “bird berries” like mahonia, hawthorn and flowering currant so they’re not missing out.

blackberries seem to be very early this year