The UK is set to welcome a heatwave in June, with forecasts predicting around 16 days of consecutive 20°C sunshine.
It’s safe to say that 2021 has been a mixed bag so far when it comes to the weather.
We’ve had cold snaps, with heavy frost and snow, in January and February, and some uncharacteristic warm weather towards the latter end of March and much of April – which was welcomed with open arms by the hospitality sector as it reopened for outdoor service only from 12th April – but of course, we’ve also had our fare share of torrential downpours throughout – including the showers, thunderstorms and flood risks that have stuck around over last seven days.
But now, as the temperatures continue to climb and we head into the summer season, things are finally starting to look up.
The 16-day hot streak is forecast to start on 15th June and end on 1st July, which many will have clocked falls nicely around the time that the UK government is aiming to remove all social restrictions as part of the roadmap to lifting England’s current national lockdown on 21st June, so it’s something to pencil in your diaries.
Pixabay
While advance forecasts are always subject to change, as it stands, only a few days of rain are expected in June, which already makes a nice change from some of the May weather we’ve had to put up with.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sadly though, the rest of this month isn’t particularly looking that good.
According to the Met Office, the last couple of weeks of May have been described as “cold” in the north of England, with heavy showers punctuating most days.
The forecast reads: “Unsettled conditions continuing, with scattered showers again developing across most areas.
ADVERTISEMENT
“To start the period, these may be heavy, and at times wintry in the far north, especially over hills [and] further into this period, it is likely to remain changeable with a mixture of sunshine and scattered showers, though heavy in places with a risk of thunder.
“Brief spells of more organised cloud, bringing rain and strong winds, remain possible, particularly in the south.
“Generally staying breezy throughout.
“While temperatures by night are likely to be below average, frost is expected to be restricted to prone locations, especially where winds fall light [and] by day, temperatures are likely to be around or slightly below average, notably cool in the south but cold in the north”.
You can find more forecasts via the Met Office website here.
Featured Image – Stacey MacNaught
Trending
Manchester’s big wheel is returning to Exchange Square for the summer… sort of
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is set to reach new heights, as the big wheel that once stood proudly in the city centre is making a comeback this summer.
Well… sort of.
That’s because it’s not quite the same big wheel that many will remember from its glory days in locations like Piccadilly Gardens and Exchange Square throughout the 2000s, and more recently Albert Square during last year’s Manchester Christmas Markets – but it is a big wheel and it’s a big wheel that you’ll be able to hop on for a ride.
Celebrating the launch of its new Cloud Frappuccino blended drinks range, Starbucks’ Summer in the Clouds arrives in Exchange Square next Friday and Saturday (24 and 25 July), inviting people to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy panoramic views of the city below from a big Ferris wheel.
The two-day takeover will give customers the chance to unlock a ride on the big wheel with the purchase of any Grande or Venti iced drink from participating Manchester city centre Starbucks stores.
Both in participating stores – which in Manchester are Starbucks stores in the Arndale, City Tower Offices, on Market Street and on Fennel Street – and at the Ferris wheel itself in Exchange Square, you can expect complimentary Cloud Frappuccino-inspired candy floss, live music from DJ and presenter Ethan Porte, and a free photobooth with digital and printed photos.
Alongside the big wheel ride, there’ll also be the chance for members to win exclusive Starbucks merchandise across the two days too.
A limited number of additional ferris wheel ride tokens will also be available to win via the fairground-style Plinko game on site.
The new Starbucks Cloud Frappuccino blended drinks range includes a range of bespoke creations like the Strawberry Matcha Cloud Frappuccino, the Brown Sugar Cloud Frappuccino, and the Caramel Mocha Cloud Frappuccino.
With skyline views and summer sips, Starbucks says its Summer in the Clouds is set to be one of Manchester’s must-visit experiences this month.
Starbucks’ Summer in the Clouds arrives in Exchange Square next Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July.
Featured Image – Cédric Dhaenens (via Unsplash)
Trending
Liam Fray says ‘yes’ to Courteeners supporting Oasis on tour amid rumoured 2027 dates
Danny Jones
Liam Fray has said that the Courteeners are ready to “answer the call” if/when it comes to supporting Oasis on their next big live tour, with rumours of dates for shows in 2027 ramping up.
The fellow Manc favourites were heavily suggested as potential support acts for the Live ’25 reunion gigs, but Cast and Richard Ashcroft were ultimately selected as the warm-ups for the world tour.
With that in mind, when asked if Courteeners would be ready to open up for Oasis on their still only hypothetical tour next year, Fray had a very quick answer:
Not to speak for the Middleton musician, but it’s a bit of a no-brainer, really.
As you can see, in a recent interview with Radio X host Johnny Vaughan promoting the indie rockers’ new single, ‘Plus One Forever’, the 41-year-old frontman made it clear that he and his bandmates would bite hands off if the other Liam and/or his brother Noel offered a slot to them.
The younger Gallagher brother definitely had plenty of fun teasing supports last time around, before making some fairly more obvious posts and then seemingly just announcing them on social media according to his own timeline.
LG does what he wants, after all.
As for the supposed ’12 nights at the Etihad Stadium’ reported recently, not to mention all the other sets across the country that would no doubt follow should they come to fruition, Fray could say little else other than simply “Yes” to the prospect.
Joking, “Well, it is from me – I don’t know if someone else has said no!”, there have been no other indications on this front, but it’s safe to say it’d be a huge booking for everyone involved and a HUGE crowd-pleaser; Liam looks to be working on one of his own, elsewhere, too…
The two lead singers have both graced the stage of the Emirates Old Trafford stadium at Lancashire County Cricket Club, as well as Heaton Park, respectively.
Liam noted that he was at Heaton Park himself for that unforgettable summer last year, and also praised Wigan’s very own Ashcroft for being “unbelievable” when he caught him at Wembley. Big shoes to fill. The question is, who would you like to see supporting Oasis on their possible tour dates in the future?
In the meantime, we’ll have to be satisfied with gearing up for the release of the highly-anticipated reunion documentary, with the title and a first trailer now revealed.
Emily Sergeant -
17th May 2021 
