A HEATWAVE could hit parts of the UK this week as temperatures soar to highs of 29C, the Met Office has said.
However, these hot conditions are expected to also trigger thunderstorms and potentially “intense” downpours as early as tomorrow.
The forecaster explained that a “plume of warm air” moving in from the south will “drive a change to the weather later this week”.
Despite triggering thunderstorms in some regions, the warm air is set to push temperatures as high as 29C by Friday.
These hot conditions could mean that heatwave thresholds are crossed in parts of the Midlands, northern Wales, and northern England.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mike Silverstone explained: “As temperatures rise this week, it is possible heatwave thresholds could be reached in some parts of the UK, particularly the northwest Midlands, northwest England and northeast Wales, however it is very dependent on cloud cover later this week, so it is not a certainty.”
However, wet conditions are expected to bring potentially “intense” downpours before the warmest weather hits.
While tomorrow is expected to be a “largely fine and dry day” for much of the UK, the Met Office has warned that thundery showers are likely to move in throughout the evening and overnight.
This could lead to some western areas experiencing between 20-40mm of rain over just a few hours as “intense” downpours move through to the northeast.
These showers could also lead to “frequent” lightning for some, the forecaster warned.
Mike said: “After largely benign weather early in the week, some intense, thundery showers will move in on Wednesday evening.
“These thunderstorms are being triggered by some warm, humid air that is moving into the UK from the south.
“The intense rainfall could see 20-40mm accumulating over just a few hours, which could cause some disruption.
“While there are no severe weather warnings issued at the moment, it is possible thunderstorm warnings may be issued this week.”
But, following this stormy weather, temperatures are expected to continue to climb.
Highs of 27C are forecast for tomorrow and Thursday, while Friday could see temperatures crawl up to a toasty 29C – potentially leading to heatwave conditions in some areas.
Today: Low cloud and patchy light rain across the south this morning, will become restricted to the far south during the afternoon.
Otherwise increasing amounts of sunshine developing throughout today with morning showers tending to die out. Feeling warmer for many.
Tonight: Dry for most tonight with variable cloud and clear spells.
The clearest skies in the north, where it will turn chilly. Mild in the south though with some patchy fog.
Wednesday: Morning low cloud across the south will burn away to leave a largely dry and sunny day for many, with a few showers in the west. Widely very warm.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday: Very warm and humid on Thursday and Friday with the risk of some heavy and thundery downpours developing.
Further heavy rain possible on Saturday, but feeling fresher from the south.
The highest temperatures are expected in southeast and central England, the Met Office said.
However, the areas most likely to break heatwave thresholds are northwest Midlands, northwest England and northeast Wales.
The hot conditions could be the perfect invitation for Brits to go and enjoy the sunshine on beaches and in parks, following the thunderstorms.
Heading towards the end of the week, the Met Office said the humid and thundery airmass would be displaced by “fresher” and more settled conditions.
While the south is forecast to have temperatures a little above average by the end of the weekend, northern areas are “likely to be more changeable”.
The forecaster said that some areas, especially the northwest, could see spells of stronger winds, cloud, and some rain at times.
POUNDLAND has launched a major 70% off sale ahead of closing a beloved store for good.
Its branch in Barrow in Furness is set to close on June 12, giving customers just two days to say their goodbyes.
To help shift stock before it closes for good, the retailer has launched a 70% sale to shift stock.
One shopper shared the find on social media and managed to pick up a garlic masher for 12p and a wine and beer glasses for 25p a pop.
They also picked up a USB charger for 37p.
Another shopper said they had also visited the closings store and “picked up loads” in the sale.
It comes just eight months after the affordable store shut another branch in the area.
Its site at Hindpool Retail Park closed last autumn, in another blow to shoppers.
The news has came as a blow to locals, with one even describing it as their “second home”.
A Poundland spokesperson previously told The Sun that the store is closing because it has been unable to agree terms that would allow the brand to keep trading there.
The store still has 800 stores trading across the UK.
It comes as Poundland could undergo a radical restructuring plan to help keep the business afloat.
Up to 200 stores could close and hundreds of stores have been identified for steep rent cuts, according to reports.
The retailer was put up for sale in March, with ex-Laura Ashley owner Gordon Brothers and Hilco named as frontrunners in the race.
Last month, sources told The Sunday Times the budget business could be priced at “effectively a pound”.
It’s owner Pepco said it expects the sale of Poundland by September.
The brand has already closed a number of stores in the past year.
That includes stores across Gravesend’s St George’s Centre, Clapham Junction station in London.
Liverpool’s Belle Vale Shopping Centre also pulled down their shutters for the final time.
This is the full list of stores that have closed, or are set to close in the coming months:
Poundland is not the only retailer facing troubling times.
Hobbycraft is set to close nine stores on June 21, as part of an overhaul by new owner Modella Capital.
Sites across Bristol, Dunstable, Borehamwood and Basildon are all set to close.
A further two sites in Essex and one in Gloucestershire are also set to close, with a site in Kent closing earlier this year.
Elsewhere, up to 11 Original Factory Shops stores are to set to close this month, including sites across Worcestershire, Durham and Cumbria.
Meanwhile, another five stores across Nairn, Market Drayton, Troon, Blairgowrie and Castle Douglas have been put up for sale.
It comes as part of a major restructuring carried out by new owner Modella Capital with a number of loss-making stores having to close as result.
The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April.
A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024.
Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure.
The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”
Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.
“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”
Never has a series finale been as collectively infuriating as the season 8 ending of Game of Thrones. People hate Lost’s finale, but that was nowhere near the global phenomenon that was Game of Thrones. The heel turn of Daenerys, the underwhelming Battle at Winterfell, and Bran Stark being the winner were just terrible writing […]
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
Венсан Кассель та Нара Баптіста провели час в Парижі. Нові фото кохана актора виклала в інстаграмі. Пара, яка нещодавно стала батьками сина, знайшла час для романтичного виходу у світ. На опублікованих знімках 28-річна Нара та 58-річний Венсан відвідали Єлисейський палац. Баптіста, як і Кассель, віддала перевагу брючному костюму. Образ дівчини був у чорно-білій кольоровій гамі […]
Президент США заявив, що підтримає арешт губернатора Каліфорнії Гевіна Ньюсома — після того, як таку можливість напередодні припустив «прикордонний цар» чинної адміністрації Том Гоман. Про це Дональд Трамп повідомив журналістам після повернення з Кемп-Девіда, передає власний кореспондент Укрінформу. «Я б зробив це на місці Тома», – сказав він у відповідь на запитання про можливий арешт […]
After he lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Gunther on the June 9, 2025, edition of Monday Night RAW on Netflix, WWE Superstar Jey Uso delivered a heartfelt message after the show went off the air. A fan at the show took a video of Uso’s off-air moment. He showed his gratitude for his fans, […]
The post WWE’s Jey Uso delivers heartfelt message after title loss appeared first on ClutchPoints.
UBER is set to trial driverless robotaxis in London next spring, where passengers could be driven by artificial intelligence (AI) in place of a human.
The ride-hailing app has partnered with UK AI firm Wayve, which has been testing autonomous vehicles in the capital with human oversight.
The pilot will be the first of its kind for the company, Uber said in a statement.
It is not yet clear whether the vehicles in Uber’s trial will be available for customers to use.
The company said it is still working out the details.
If all goes well, passengers may soon be able to take Uber rides without a safety driver present.
Uber has previously said it intends to introduce fleets of driverless cars to its UK app as soon as legislation allows.
Such journeys have become commonplace in the US, namely San Francisco, home to Google’s driverless taxi firm Waymo.
Andrew MacDonald, president and chief operating officer of Uber, said the partnership with Wayve would help “to make autonomy a safe and reliable option for riders everywhere.”
“This is a defining moment for UK autonomy,” Wayve CEO and co-founder Alex Kendall said in a statement.
“With Uber and a global OEM partner, we’re preparing to put our AI Driver technology into real service on the streets of London.”
The trial has been made possible following a change in UK regulation that aims to get driverless cars on the road sooner.
The UK government was originally aiming for the tech to come to British roads in 2026, then the date was changed to the second half of 2027.
However, the government’s new stance is that it wants them on the roads sooner, and so it’s introducing an accelerated framework for small autonomous “bus and taxi like” commercial services.
It’s unclear how many customers will opt for a driverless vehicle over a car with a human behind the wheel.
The experience still appears fairly daunting – even for The Sun’s Assistant Technology and Science Editor, Jamie Harris, who travelled in one of Waymo’s robotaxis last year.
It comes as Uber plans to take on the skies over Italy’s Amalfi Coast.
The company has announced that high-flying customers will be able to book helicopters in minutes.
From 26 July to 23 August, travellers on Italy’s Amalfi Coast can reserve a private Uber Copter to ferry them between Sorrento and Capri.
Using the Uber app, passengers can book helicopter travel for €250 (around £184) per head to beat summer crowds.
NEW plans have been revealed for a seaside development project – months after the council blocked proposals.
The seaside town was named Time Out’s top place to visit in the UK in 2025, as stats suggest it is one of the world’s most ‘up and coming’ beach destinations.
Folkestone harbour and seafront could undergo a significant transformation if development plans are approved.
While Sir Roger De Haan’s Folkestone Harbour and Seafront Development Company has already made significant changes to the area – they are still awaiting approval for the eastern section of the seafront.
The company previously submitted development plans in January which were narrowly refused.
Councillors voted 5-4 to reject the application, expressing concerns about the design, heritage impacts and housing affordability.
Public response was less favourable, with 96% of comments on the council’s planning portal objecting to the proposals.
After making revisions to the plans that address the councillors’ concerns, FHSDC is hoping the new proposal will be approved at a planning committee meeting on June 17.
One of the most drastic changes between the proposals is a 50 per cent increase in public parking provisions.
The increase correlates to 323 proposed public spaces, up from 215 in the original proposal – as well as a car club that should reduce pressure on residential parking.
They have also made alterations for the proposed plan to build 410 homes and 54 commercial units.
This will include 53 affordable homes, intended for shared ownership in order to meet affordability needs – as the original proposal faced backlash for failing to address local social issues.
The new proposal includes more three-bedroom homes, as well as moving one of the proposed buildings away from the harbour station to “better respect” its historic setting.
84 beachfront properties have already been built, with prices ranging from £430,000 to £2.1 million.
FHSDC released a statement clarifying the restrictions they faced under the council’s Local Plan.
The statement from FHSDC reads: “The original permission dictated, for example, the maximum and minimum height of the buildings, and a maximum and minimum number of homes we can build, and these cannot be changed through a Reserved Matters Application.
“Any revised plans must remain within these, and other, parameters.”
Local residents had previously expressed concern about the project’s design, as well as the lack of affordable housing.
One particularly outspoken resident, Georgina Baker, campaigned against the development as she believed it was “not the right development for the harbour” and that the “community deserves more.”
However, FHSDC consultants believe the development would do more good for the area, with an emphasis on social benefit.
The proposal includes a new Section 106 agreement to contribute £5.19 million to local services including children’s play areas, GPs, schools, social care, libraries and youth services.
This is in addition to the amount promised in the original proposal, bringing the total contribution to £8.72 million.
It is estimated that the development could generate 760 long-term jobs, boost the local economy by £21 million each year, and generate £148 million during construction.
With the luxury accommodation expected to attract wealthy residents, it is estimated to bring £9.4 million in annual spending, with almost £1 million in further tax revenue.
FHSDC told Kent Online that they hoped to correct the misinformation about the historic buildings on the development site.
A spokesperson said: “Ten years ago, the original outline planning permission provided for the demolition of the station, Customs House and Signal Box.
“At the time, these buildings were dangerous and inaccessible to the public.
“Sir Roger De Haan decided to restore and retain the station rather than demolish it and to prioritise its place in the development.”
In addition to the residential properties, the development would create 7,489 square metres of commercial space used for leisure facilities, restaurants, bars and retail outlets.
The upcoming planning meeting will decide the fate of the remaining section of the project.
It comes as other areas of Folkestone are undergoing their own redevelopment.
A £20 million revamp is set to turn the bus station into a central park – complete with a plaza area, fountains and surrounding gardens.
The town’s Lower Leas funicular is also undergoing a £6.6 million restoration – with the hopes it will be reopened by early 2026 after it closed nearly 10 years ago.
A CONTESTANT on The 1% Club was left shocked by a strict rule that means you can be kicked off the show instantly.
Presented by Lee Mack, The 1% Club tests players’ logic and common sense, rather than general knowledge.
Heidi Phillips competed in an episode that was aired in January 2025.
During the game, she ultimately chose to use her pass on the 35% question before being eliminated.
While speaking to FruitySlots.com, Heidi revealed strict rules given to contestants by the producers.
She shared: “When we got put in our seats in the studio, they gave us the tablets and told us it was important to keep our eyes firmly locked on the screens and not look at each other
“There were actually invigilators who go back through the show episode to make sure every contestant plays the game fairly.
“You could have won the cash prize but if they go back through filming and see you glanced over at another contestant’s screen before answering, you’ll forfeit the prize.
“That’s not happened yet but it was a stern warning!”
She also explained: “Before the show, we were given rules about clothing.
“No logos or bright patterns. No fluorescent colours and nothing low cut. They didn’t want you to look dressed for a night out!”
Elsewhere, Heidi shared a top tip for hopeful contestants aiming to stand out to the producers.
She revealed: “It was funny. I tried to showcase my personality and I’ve worked as an entertainer before, so I’m good in front of people.
“I made silly jokes that if I won the prize, I’d spend it on opening a trifle sandwich shop.
“That would be my advice to anyone trying to get on the show. When they ask you how you’ll spend the winnings, don’t say something boring like paying off the mortgage.”
Meanwhile, she further opened up how filming on the hit ITV game show actually works.
She said: “While contestants are answering questions on the tablet, Lee usually takes the time to make a joke to the audience at home.
“But all his comical parts are filmed later. When we’re answering the question, he remains silent.
“Then he has to be filmed asking the question again and we have to pretend to put our answers in. That was a bit weird!”
The 1% Club sees 100 contestants try and make it to the 1% question and be in with a chance to win a share of the jackpot. Here are just some of the show's most difficult teasers.
The show’s challenging brainteasers and puzzles regularly stump large numbers of players.
In one episode, 30 contestants were eliminated after failing to answer a smiley face question correctly.
While another saw 30 players left stumped on a tricky traffic question.
The 1% Club airs on ITV1 and ITVX.
