UK set for another ‘potential’ heatwave next week after warmest June on record

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

England could be heading towards another potential heatwave early next week, the Met Office has revealed.

While it’s obviously true that temperatures this week have returned to average for the time of year, bringing largely settled conditions for many, once next week rolls around, some parts of the country could be heating up once again – with the Met Office revealing what Greater Manchester residents should prepare for.

For the early part of next week, temperatures will definitely rise and perhaps reach what are considered heatwave conditions for some.

But if this is the case, the forecast suggests that it’s ‘unlikely’ to reach the high temperatures and humidity of last month’s heat, and the North West won’t be getting the worst of it.

The potential of next week’s heatwave comes after last month was officially declared the UK’s warmest June on record.

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A defining feature of the month’s heatwave was the ‘exceptionally warm’ overnight temperatures, with frequent ‘tropical nights’ helping to drive the highest average June minimum temperatures on record.

Giving an insight into what’s to come as we head into the weekend, Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, Tony Wisson, explained: “Toward the weekend, high pressure will continue to build in across most of the UK as it extends from the Azores. This will lead to more settled, warm or very warm conditions for many, especially across England and Wales, though some rain may still affect the far north.

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“The forecast for this weekend suggests that temperatures could approach high 20s°C across parts of England, perhaps 30°C in parts of the southeast, with values of mid to high 20s°C in Wales.

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“Although a return to heatwave conditions is looking increasingly likely for some areas, the likelihood of such extreme high temperatures or high levels of humidity as last week is currently low.”

Featured Image – Dmitry Zvolskiy (via Unsplash)

Chester Zoo is staying open ‘after hours’ this summer so you can see the nocturnal animals

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Chester Zoo is keeping its gates open late into the evening across two special weeks this summer.

The UK’s biggest charity zoo has, once again, announced the return of Afterglow for the summer, which is known and loved for offering visitors the rare opportunity to explore the zoo and its 30,000 animals after hours… but for the first time, daytime visitors can now enjoy the hugely popular event without needing a separate ticket.

Unlike previous years, visitors will no longer need to leave Chester Zoo‘s grounds and return with a separate event ticket.

Instead, guests can spend the entire day exploring the zoo before enjoying Afterglow‘s evening programme, all as part of a standard admission ticket.

Chester Zoo’s is opening ‘after hours’ again this summer so you can see all the animals at sunset / Credit: Chester Zoo

Afterglow offers you the unique chance to encounter some of the world’s most endangered species during golden hour – which, for many animals, is one of their most active periods.

From 3pm until 8pm each day, giant elephant, giraffe, and peacock puppets will welcome visitors into the zoo, while life-sized dinosaurs roam the site with theatrical performances and interactive encounters.

The programme also features giant bubble displays, comedy street theatre, fairground rides, and live music performances.

A number of special experiences designed just for adults are on the lineup this year too, including quizzes in Chester Zoo’s very own pub and an adults-only silent disco inside one of the zoo’s oldest animal habitats.

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Chester Zoo’s Afterglow returns for 2026, running on exclusive dates between 31 July – 16 August from 3pm until 8pm, with tickets now on sale ranging in price depending on whether or not you buy a full-day ticket or just for the afternoon into evening slot.

And the best bit? Every ticket helps fund conservation projects protecting threatened species in more than 20 countries.

They’re already selling fast, so ook your tickets online in advance here.

Featured Image – Chester Zoo

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