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The Manc - 15th April 2020

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Met Office says UK heatwave is ‘likely’ this week with highs of 30°C expected

Emily Sergeant Sunbathing in the park

Much of the UK will be in heatwave conditions by the coming weekend, according to the latest Met Office forecast.

It’s been a real mixed bag of weather since June arrived, it’s safe to say, with the continuous and unseasonably warm and dry temperatures of April and May finally being broken with spells of heavy downpours and thunderstorms, but now it’s official… a heatwave is ‘likely’ on its way.

The Met Office is predicting heat will build throughout this week, and by the time the weekend has arrived, some parts of the UK will probably be in heatwave conditions.

According to forecasts, the highest temperatures values in the UK tomorrow (Wednesday 17 June) are expected to be around 27ºC, but then on Thursday this will rise to 29ºC, and by Saturday, it’s expected to increase again in more locations until heatwave values are exceeded.

High pressure means for many it will be a dry week with temperatures rising to heatwave level in some areas by the weekend☀️

Find out more with Alex Burkill👇 pic.twitter.com/dQ93NUvOH5
— Met Office (@metoffice) June 16, 2025

It’s thought that the highest temperatures in some parts of the country could reach 30ºC on Saturday, potentially even earlier.

So, what exactly is considered to be a heatwave? Well, heatwave conditions in the UK are met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with temperature values meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold for that location.

Across much of the north and west of the UK this threshold is 25ºC, but across Greater London and the Home Counties, the threshold is higher, at 28ºC.

“The rising temperatures this week are a combination of several factors,” commented Tony Wisson, who is a Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office.

It's heating up this week 🌡️

Temperatures will be on an upwards trajectory towards 30°C for some pic.twitter.com/uUI5DbAjVm
— Met Office (@metoffice) June 16, 2025

“Over the next few days, settled weather and warm sunshine will allow temperatures to rise day on day. Temperatures will then rise further towards the end of the week as winds turn more southerly and even warmer air over continental Europe will be drawn across the UK.

“We could very well see several places exceeding 30ºC, which will be the highest temperatures of the year so far.”

Tony also confirmed that by the beginning of the weekend “we could very well be meeting heatwave thresholds in places”.

When it comes to how long this’ll all last, that’s a little more up in the air, as while forecasters know that high pressure is expected to move away from the UK into early next week, which will result in temperatures falling, there is uncertainty, however, in how quickly this happens.

Featured Image –

News

Work finally begins on site of UK’s first majority LGBTQ+ housing scheme in Manchester

Emily Sergeant

Work has finally got underway on the start of the UK’s first majority LGBTQ+ housing scheme here in Manchester.

The exciting new £37 million flagship development – which is being built on the site of the former Spire Hospital on Russell Road, in the Whalley Range area of Manchester – will be comprised of 80 one and two-bedroom apartments for older people over the age of 55 for social rent, alongside an additional 40 affordable shared ownership apartments.

Plans for the scheme have been co-produced in partnership with the Russell Road Community Steering Group, Manchester City Council, and the LGBT Foundation.

Delivered in partnership with contractors Rowlinson, and funded through Great Places, the Homes England Strategic Partnership, GMCA Brownfield Housing Fund, and Manchester City Council, the high-quality and sustainable building will offer a ‘safe and welcome feel’ with an ‘inviting presence’.

Plans approved for new ‘first of its kind’ majority LGBTQ+ housing scheme for over 55s in Manchester

While the goal is to create an inclusive space, the scheme has also been designed to respect the surrounding conservation area.

On top of this, the low carbon scheme will also feature shared communal facilities including lounges, treatment rooms, and landscaped gardens.

The Council says the new scheme is part of its ambitious target to deliver at least 36,000 new homes across the city region by 2032 – at least 10,000, of which, will be social rent, Council, or considered ‘genuinely affordable’ housing.

It comes after more than 800 ‘Extra Care’ homes have been built in Manchester in recent years, and are another 1,000 are in the pipeline – to meet the demand for older people in the city.

A CGI of the newly-approved LGBTQ+ Extra Care housing scheme development in Whalley Range / Credit: Manchester City Council

“This is a real milestone moment for this development,” commented Cllr Gavin White, who is the Executive Member for Housing and Development at Manchester City Council.

“The Council has believed in the positive impact an LGBTQ+ majority housing development could have for this community for many years, and to celebrate the social rent homes officially starting on site is a great moment for the city.

“Working with the LGBT Foundation, we know that older LGBTQ+ people worry about being able to access appropriate and inclusive housing later in life. Although we hope all older person’s accommodation is welcoming to everyone, this scheme will provide safe, secure and affordable housing for LGBTQ+ people to live with dignity.

“We look forward to the completion of these homes that will complement and enhance this part of Whalley Range, and be an important part of this community.”

The project is scheduled to be completed in Summer 2027.

Featured Image – Manchester City Council