Greater Manchester could see temperatures reach 29°C within days as another heatwave is forecast to hit the region next week. The Met Office predicts highs in the upper 20s and locally low 30s across parts of the Midlands, East Anglia and south-east England.
Record-Breaking June Heat Followed by Cooler Spell
The UK experienced record-breaking conditions last week on three consecutive days. A new June temperature record of 37.7°C was recorded on Friday, June 26, at Lingwood in Norfolk, east of Norwich, surpassing the 37.3°C recorded at Santon Downham in Suffolk the same day. After a significant cooldown this week, hot weather is set to return.
Heat-Health Alert Issued for Five Regions
As temperatures rise again, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a yellow heat-health alert affecting five regions across the UK between Saturday, July 4, and Wednesday, July 8. The alert covers the East Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, and London, effective from 12pm on Saturday until 5pm on Wednesday.
The UKHSA warns of minor impacts on health and social care services, including increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people, greater risk to life for vulnerable individuals, increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm, and a rise in water-related incidents such as cold-water shock and drowning.
Heatwave Thresholds Likely to Be Met
Some areas are likely to meet their heatwave thresholds—three consecutive days of temperatures reaching 25°C to 28°C—throughout next week, according to current forecasts. However, the Met Office has stated this will not be a repeat of the late-June heatwave.
"The position of the high-pressure system means the UK will avoid the exceptionally hot continental air that fuelled the recent record-breaking temperatures across western Europe," the Met Office says. "As a result, temperatures are likely to remain in the high 20s or low 30s rather than the mid to high 30s, and humidity levels should be noticeably lower."
Persistent but Less Extreme Heat Expected
The Met Office has warned that although the upcoming heat is likely to be less extreme than the recent spell, it could persist for longer. Met Office forecasts show the temperature in Greater Manchester gradually rising over the coming days, peaking at 28°C on Friday, July 10.
Sunday, July 5, is set to see highs of 21°C in Greater Manchester, climbing to 22°C on Monday and Tuesday, 26°C on Wednesday, 27°C on Thursday, and 29°C on Friday. If these temperatures are recorded, it will mean another heatwave across Greater Manchester, as it will have surpassed 25°C for three consecutive days.
