Another summer heatwave is expected to start today with forecasters predicting highs of 32C for London early next week. It follows record-breaking temperatures at the end of June, with heat and humidity playing havoc with public services as Londoners sweltered and flocked to lidos across the city. Temperatures reached 37.7C in Norfolk on June 26, making it the hottest June day on record.
Temperature Forecast
Now, the mercury is on the rise once again, with temperatures expected to hit 28C in London on Saturday - before rising to 32C on Monday. Forecasters at the Met Office are predicting a growing area of high pressure will sweep in, although this spell of hot weather may be a little easier to cope with than the last.
They say temperatures will steadily climb day by day and, while conditions are unlikely to match the intensity of late June, heatwave thresholds are likely to be reached in parts of southern and eastern England. At the time of publication (6.30am on Saturday morning), the Met Office is predicting seven straight days of temperatures between 28C and 32C.
Heatwave Definition and Conditions
A heatwave is defined in London as at least three consecutive days where the maximum temperature reaches 28C. With high pressure positioned further west, westerly winds should help keep temperatures below the extremes recorded in June while also bringing lower humidity levels. That means many southern and central areas are likely to enjoy a predominantly dry week, with temperatures climbing into the high 20s and potentially topping 30C in parts of the South East.
Comparison with Previous Heatwaves
June equalled the historic heatwave of 1976, as a red weather warning was issued for parts of England and Wales. And the string of record-breaking temperatures in June came hot on the heels of May's heatwave, when the mercury climbed to 35.1C in Kew, London, smashing the previous May record of 32.8C, which had stood since 1922.
Scientists warned the severity of last month’s heatwave – which affected much of mainland Europe as well as the UK – would have been virtually impossible 50 years ago. An analysis by the World Weather Attribution group found a similar heatwave occurring in the climate of 1976 would be 3.5C cooler and would not have seen the same daytime peaks and overnight temperatures as in 2026.
Climate Change Impact
Professor Stephen Belcher, Met Office chief scientist, said: “Human induced climate change has made events like this more likely and more intense. To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply.”
