As a second summer heatwave kicks in across the nation, many areas are seeing restricted grass growth due to a lack of soil moisture.
While the hot and dry weather is good news for haymakers, it’s bad news for those grazing livestock. Already, farmers in some areas say they have gone as many as six weeks without rainfall, and it looks like more of the same could be on the horizon.
Alex Deakin, Met Office meteorologist, said the week ahead could be summed up in three words: “Dry, hot and sunny”.
“As always there will be some subtleties and variations,” he said.
Speaking in a Met Office broadcast today, Deakin put the heat down to an area of high pressure sitting right above the UK.
To help you prepare, here’s what the Met Office says you can expect weather-wise over the next week:
The next few days
Overall, the next few days are expected to be dry and sunny almost everywhere nationally, with temperatures set to get even hotter.
Today “unbroken sunshine” will raise temperatures even higher than at the weekend for most parts of the UK.
It will be cloudier and cooler in the far north of Scotland, and also less warm near coasts where sea breezes develop.
It’s expected to continue into Tuesday, when after some early cloud has dispersed from Norfolk and Lincolnshire, widespread sunshine will make tomorrow even hotter in most parts.
Rest of the week
The rest of the week will see the hot, sunny weather continue.
The eastern parts will begin to cool becoming cloudy at times as the wind turns easterly. However, the west will continue to get even hotter.
It means anyone heading to any of the weekend’s agricultural shows can leave the umbrella at home.
Arthington Show, St. Albans Country Show, Haddington Show and the Scottish Game Fair are set all set to take place this week.
Meanwhile, temperatures will drop slightly further north, with conditions becoming cloudier and breezier.
The weekend will stay dry and sunny across much of the UK, although there is a chance of rain in the north of Scotland.
It is also likely to feel cooler than of late across parts of the north-east but elsewhere it will remain very warm with muggy nights.
Further ahead
Heading into the start of July, the weather is set to remain dry and sunny. However, there is a chance of outbreaks of rain along with stronger winds in north-western parts of the UK.
Showers or thunderstorms could also push in from the south.
During this first week of July it is expected to be cooler in the far northwest and elsewhere temperatures are also likely to gradually decline but remain above average.
Stay tuned to AgriLand for the latest tips and official advice on how to cope with the weather on your farm.
