Weather: NI records hottest day of year so far
Last updated 21st Jun 2022
Northern Ireland has enjoyed its warmest day of the year.
The Met Office said a top temperature of 22.2C was reached at Portglenone in Co Antrim, just eclipsing this year's highest temperature here which had been the 22.1C recorded at Giant's Causeway on June 15.
Met Office forecaster Greg Dewhurst said "it just shows you that the warmth is still around and it is going to become warmer across the whole of the UK" across the week.
The heat is set build again in the coming days but will not be as high as last week when temperatures soared to 32.7C at Santon Downham, in Norfolk, on Friday as the UK recorded the hottest day of the year so far.
The warmth will be a little more widespread.
It will be sunny and dry from Tuesday to Thursday with temperatures reaching about 25C in London, before they rise to about 27 in the east on Wednesday 20 and peak at 29C on Thursday throughout the east and south east England.
It will be cloudier for Northern Ireland and Scotland where there will be some sunshine and temperatures may reach low to mid-20sC in the south.
Those heading to the Glastonbury festival could be pitching their tents in dry conditions but having to contend with heavy showers over the weekend.
The festival returns this week for the first time in three years, finally celebrating its 50th year after the pandemic forced organisers to cancel twice.
Sir Paul McCartney, Billie Eilish and rapper Kendrick Lamar will perform on the Pyramid stage while Diana Ross will fill the Sunday teatime legends slot.
Mr Dewhurst said: "It will be a warm and sunny start to the festival with temperatures up to around 25-26C.
"There will will high UV levels so people will need to stay hydrated and pack plenty of sunscreen.
"With the second half of the festival, there is a risk of showers with temperatures dropping down to 20-21C and you will probably need your umbrellas and your wellies."
With the weather set to will be varying day-by-day, Mr Dewhurst suggested that revellers "make sure you have got everything from warm weather gear to wet weather gear and expect a mixture of conditions".
Northern Ireland's five-day forecast:
Today: A dull, misty start for many especially the northwest, with some drizzle. Becoming mainly dry and a little brighter in the afternoon, with isolated showers, Light winds and feeling more humid. Maximum temperature 18 °C.
Tonight: Late sunshine inland but turning cloudy and misty around the north coast again, a few clear spells inland and mainly light winds. Minimum temperature 9 °C. ****
Wednesday: A misty start with some patchy light rain in places but becoming quite a bright day with some sunny spells and feeling warm. Maximum temperature 20 °C. ****
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday: Another warm day on Thursday with sunny spells, cloudier on Friday with showery rain sometimes turning heavy. Bright with scattered showers on Saturday.****
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