The Met Office has confirmed that the UK is entering its third heatwave of the year, with temperatures forecast to reach between 34°C and 35°C later this week. Unlike the previous two hot spells in May and June, this heatwave is expected to be longer but less extreme, with lower humidity and fewer exceptionally warm nights.
Key Differences from Previous Heatwaves
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Steven Keates explained: "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."
Night-time temperatures will also be lower than in June, though some urban areas could remain in the high teens Celsius overnight. There is a chance that a tropical night, where temperatures do not fall below 20°C, may be recorded in a few locations.
Temperature Forecast and Affected Areas
Southern parts of England are expected to see highs of around 32°C on Monday and Tuesday, rising to 33°C on Wednesday, 34°C on Thursday, and potentially reaching 35°C on Friday and Saturday. Much of England and Wales will experience hot conditions, with the heat extending to parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, where peak temperatures are more likely to be in the upper 20s Celsius.
Parts of southeast England are expected to meet official heatwave conditions by the end of Monday, with further regions likely to meet their local heatwave thresholds as the week progresses.
Heat-Health Alerts and Potential Impacts
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow heat-health alerts across the East Midlands, East of England, South East, South West, London and the West Midlands until 8pm on July 11. The agency warned of minor impacts on health and social care services, including increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people, a greater risk to life for vulnerable individuals, and increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm.
The UKHSA also highlighted an increased risk of water-related incidents, including cold water shock and drowning. With high UV levels and high temperatures, people are advised to take usual precautions against the heat and sun.
Context and Outlook
The upcoming hot spell follows a record-breaking end to June, when the UK recorded its hottest day for that month on record. A temperature of 37.7°C was recorded at Lingwood in Norfolk on June 26, beating the previous June record of 37.3°C set at Santon Downham in Suffolk on the same day.
The heatwave is expected to ease back towards more normal summer temperatures during the week beginning July 13.
