London appears to be heading for a fourth heatwave of the year as temperatures are forecast to rise again. The capital has already experienced three extended periods of hot weather in May, June and July, which have broken temperature records.
The most recent heatwave, lasting nearly two weeks, coincided with the longest dry spell in London in years. That, combined with a lack of forecast rain and high water demand, has led Thames Water to impose a hosepipe ban in London.
Cooler respite before next heatwave
After weeks of hot weather causing uncomfortable nights for millions, this week has brought cooler conditions, with temperatures expected to peak around 25°C on Thursday, July 23.
But the respite will leave many asking: Is there another heatwave looming? According to BBC Weather, the answer appears to be yes. Forecasters reckon London is set for three days of highs between 28°C and 30°C, from Tuesday, July 28 to Thursday, July 30.
That would be enough to reach the threshold for a heatwave in the capital, which requires a temperature peak of at least 28°C on three consecutive days. There could even be a fifth heatwave earlier in August, with predictions of more 28°C days after a dip in temperatures – with thunderstorms possible – over the first weekend of the month.
Wildfires across London
It comes as London Fire Brigade revealed they tackled three separate wildfires across London on Wednesday. In Feltham, west London, around 40 firefighters spent over five hours battling a grass fire. Six hectares of heathland were damaged.
In Hayes, west London, four fire engines and around 25 firefighters responded to a blaze off Cranford Lane. Crews worked for three hours and 40 minutes to bring the fire under control, with damage limited to a hectare of grass.
On the other side of the capital, around 25 firefighters spent just under two hours tackling a fire on Ingrebourne Hill, Rainham. Two hectares of grassland were destroyed.
Drought declared in parts of UK
Meanwhile, a drought has been officially declared in North Wales and the Upper Severn following record dry conditions. It is the first part of the UK to declare drought status, after widespread dry weather and record-breaking heatwaves hit swathes of the country this summer.
Parts of England are in prolonged dry weather status, with hosepipe bans in force for more than 23 million people from this weekend. In Wales, exceptionally dry conditions have led to drying riverbeds, mounting concern from farmers about grazing and water availability, and significantly increased the risk of wildfires – with North Wales in particular experiencing a number of major blazes in recent weeks.
The areas affected by the drought status declaration include North Gwynedd, Ynys Mon, South Gwynedd, Dee (Wales), Clwyd, and Upper Severn. Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the Welsh Government’s environmental agency, said the decision to trigger drought status follows continued hot, dry weather over recent weeks, with July on course to become the driest on record for Wales for almost 190 years without significant rainfall in the next week.
