The Met Office has confirmed that the UK is experiencing its third heatwave in as many months, with temperatures expected to surpass 35C in parts of southern England later this week. South east England formally met the heatwave criteria after three consecutive days of temperatures exceeding 28C, the Met Office announced on Monday evening.
Rising Temperatures Across the Week
Temperatures are set to climb across the UK throughout the week, with additional regions likely to meet their local heatwave thresholds, the forecaster added. Areas of southern England could see peaks of around 32C on Tuesday, rising to 33C on Wednesday and 34C on Thursday, with isolated locations possibly reaching 35C on Friday and Saturday. On Monday, the highest temperature recorded was 34C in Teddington, south-west London, according to the Met Office.
North-South Divide
While southern areas experience increasingly hot conditions, a north-south divide will persist through the first half of the week. Scotland is expected to face stronger winds and bouts of rain on Tuesday, with temperatures generally near the average for this time of year. However, by the weekend, warm air is predicted to reach northern parts of the UK, leading to more humid conditions and a growing risk of showers or isolated thunderstorms.
Health Alerts Issued
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber heat health alerts across the Midlands and southern England, running from 9am on Wednesday to 9pm on Sunday. These alerts indicate considerable pressure on health and social care services due to soaring temperatures, including an increase in fatalities, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with underlying health conditions. Yellow heat health alerts have also been issued for Yorkshire and northern England for the same period, warning of similar significant impacts and a potential surge in water-related incidents, including cold water shock and drowning.
The Met Office's deputy chief forecaster, Steven Keates, urged the public to "take the usual precautions with the heat and the sun." He said: "Parts of the UK are entering heatwave conditions: the third heatwave in the UK so far this year. However, unlike the May and June heatwaves, we are not expecting this heatwave to be record-breaking. Temperatures this week are not expected to reach the highs we witnessed last month, though parts of southern England in particular are likely to see several days in the low 30s, and a few places could reach 34-35C later this week."
Travel and Safety Advice
The Met Office warned that England could face "tropical nights" later this week, with temperatures not dropping below 20C. National Rail Enquiries has called on rail passengers to monitor updates over the next few days due to the heatwave. Vehicle breakdown recovery firms are expected to see higher demand, and motorists are encouraged to carry sufficient water and perform vital vehicle checks before departure, particularly tyre pressures and coolant and oil levels.
Tony Rich, a spokesman for the AA on road safety, said: "With temperatures expected to climb into the low 30s across parts of England over the coming days, drivers should take the heat as seriously as they would ice or heavy rain. A few simple checks before setting off can make all the difference. Make sure your tyres are correctly inflated, check your coolant level and carry plenty of drinking water for everyone in the vehicle, including pets. If you're planning a longer journey, build in regular breaks and try to avoid the hottest part of the day where possible. Should you break down, get yourself and your passengers to a place of safety, ideally behind the safety barrier if there is one, and keep hydrated while waiting for assistance."
UV and Pollen Levels
The Met Office revealed that UV levels are forecast to be high or very high across much of the UK throughout the week, urging people to ensure adequate sun protection. Additionally, pollen levels are anticipated to be high or very high in certain regions this week.
