The UK is set to experience its hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures expected to reach 32C on Wednesday and potentially 33C on Thursday, according to the Met Office. Heatwave conditions have already been declared in parts of West Yorkshire, Cornwall, Devon, and Wales, with 13 weather stations officially recording a heatwave.
Heat-health alerts have been upgraded to amber for much of England, including London, the South East, the South West, the East and West Midlands, the East, North West, and Yorkshire and Humber. Only the North East remains under a yellow alert. The amber warning indicates that people of all ages could be affected, putting additional pressure on the NHS.
Met Office meteorologist Amy Bokota said 32C is expected on Wednesday, with a possible peak of 33C on Thursday. "It will then be 32C right the way until Sunday for some places in the south," she added. Overnight temperatures could stay above 20C in parts of southern and western England, a phenomenon known as a "tropical night".
The hot weather follows a cool, wet July, but June was the UK's hottest on record. The Met Office attributed the current heatwave to high pressure dominating over the UK, amplified by tropical storms and low pressure in the Atlantic. The heat is expected to persist until the weekend, with average temperatures returning by the middle of next week.
Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. Last year, the UK recorded temperatures above 40C for the first time, which scientists said would have been virtually impossible without climate change. The Met Office also noted that Saharan dust is contributing to picturesque sunsets across the country.
