The UK heatwave shows no signs of easing, with temperatures set to reach 30°C today, according to the Met Office. London has experienced temperatures exceeding 30°C for the last 10 days and has not seen rain in two weeks, with no rain forecast for the next fortnight, potentially resulting in a month without precipitation. The dry weather has turned much of the capital's grass yellow.
Met Office Forecast
The Met Office forecast for today indicates a cloudy start across central and eastern areas, but cloud will quickly lift for most, though it may linger near some North Sea coasts. Otherwise, another dry and sunny day is expected, feeling very warm in the southwest. Wednesday will see areas of low cloud lifting through the morning, followed by fine and dry conditions with long sunny periods, and a chance of an odd thundery shower in the southwest. The outlook from Thursday to Saturday is for staying dry, sunny, and very warm for most, with winds easing and a small chance of a few thunderstorms, particularly on Thursday and Friday. Temperatures are expected to slowly decline from Saturday.
Heat-Related Deaths
More than 2,700 people died from heat-related causes during the record hot spells in May and June, according to experts. Over two-fifths of these deaths are estimated to be due to extra heat caused by human activity. In May, temperatures peaked at 35.1°C, while in June they reached 37°C. Researchers from Imperial College London, the Met Office, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that about 550 people died from heat-related causes during nine days of the May heatwave, and about 2,200 during 11 days around the June heatwave in England and Wales. Of these, some 1,150 deaths were likely due to extra heat caused by climate change, making temperatures 4°C hotter.
Expert Warning
Dr Clair Barnes from Imperial College London stated that heatwaves are the “most dangerous kind of extreme weather.” She added: “It’s time we woke up to the fact that we now live in a country with dangerously hot summers. To protect people we must urgently adapt to the reality and double down on global efforts to reach net zero emissions to stop it getting worse.”
