The Met Office has confirmed that temperatures of up to 31C will return to the UK on Monday, July 6, following a brief cooler period. The heatwave is expected to be particularly intense in London and southern England, with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issuing a yellow heat health alert from 12pm on Saturday, July 4 until 5pm on Wednesday, July 8.
Record-Breaking June Precedes July Heat
Last month was the hottest June on record for England, with a provisional record temperature of 37.7C set on Friday, June 27 in Lingwood, Norfolk. This surpassed the previous June record of 35.6C set in 1976. The Met Office noted that the UK has already experienced a spell of exceptionally hot weather, prompting a rare red warning for extreme heat in some areas.
Forecast Details: London to Peak at 31C
In London, temperatures are forecast to reach 28C on Saturday, rising to 29C on Sunday before peaking at 31C on Monday afternoon. The Met Office says temperatures across southern England will remain in the low to mid-20s during the week before climbing into the high 20s and low 30s over the weekend and into the following week. Outside the yellow heat alert areas, much of the UK is expected to see temperatures ranging from the high teens to the low 20s.
Yellow Heat Health Alert in Place
The yellow heat health alert covers the East Midlands, along with eastern, south-eastern and south-western England. The alert advises vulnerable groups, including the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions, to take precautions. The Met Office's long-range forecast, covering Sunday, July 5 to Tuesday, July 14, predicts predominantly dry and sunny conditions across much of England, with temperatures gradually increasing in the south and east.
Comparison to Previous Heatwaves
This latest alert follows last week's spell of exceptionally hot weather, when the Met Office issued a rare red warning for extreme heat across parts of the country. During the same period, the UKHSA also issued red heat health alerts as record-breaking temperatures were recorded. Previous UK June temperature records were set in Southampton in 1976 and at Camden Square in June 1957.
