Greater Manchester is set for a three-day heatwave, with temperatures forecast to hit 29C on Monday as the Met Office heatwave criteria are met. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday are each expected to exceed 25C, the threshold for the region's heatwave definition.
The hot spell comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a three-day heat-health alert for north west England. The alert warns of an increased risk to life during the heat and remains in place until 9am on Wednesday (August 5).
The UKHSA said impacts are likely across health and social care services, including increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people, a greater risk to life for vulnerable people, increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm, and a potential rise in water-related incidents.
Hot and humid spell not expected to last
The Met Office said the upcoming hot and humid spell is not expected to last long, with some scattered thundery downpours also on the forecast. Rain would likely be a welcome addition for many, as large parts of the UK are in drought following weeks of dry and hot weather, with water restrictions in force for millions of people.
Devon and Cornwall, East Anglia, Hertfordshire, London and the West Midlands are among the areas in drought conditions. Greater Manchester, along with Cumbria and Cheshire, are in prolonged dry weather, the stage before a drought. Only Yorkshire and the North East remain in normal status.
After the three-day heatwave, temperatures in Manchester are set to drop to the low 20s or high teens for the rest of the week.
Met Office day-by-day forecast for Greater Manchester
- Sunday 2 August: highs of 25C, lows of 16C. Temperatures peak around 5pm. Cloudy. Wind gusts peak at 22mph. High UV, medium pollen.
- Monday 3 August: highs of 29C, lows of 17C. Temperatures peak between 3pm and 6pm. Mixture of sunny and cloudy. 50% chance of precipitation at 11pm. Wind gusts peak at 25mph. High UV, medium pollen.
- Tuesday 4 August: highs of 25C, lows of 17C. Temperatures peak at around 4pm. 50-80% chance of precipitation between 12pm and 4pm. Wind gusts peak at 21mph. High UV, low pollen.
