The Met Office has announced that the UK is entering its third heatwave of the year, with temperatures predicted to reach between 34C and 35C later this week. However, this hot spell is not expected to bring the same extreme temperatures or high humidity experienced in June.
Key Differences From Previous Heatwaves
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Steven Keates stated: "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 witnessed last month, though parts of southern England in particular are likely to see several days in the low 30s Celsius, and a few places could reach 34-35C later this week.
Night-time temperatures will not be as high as in June, though larger urban areas may remain in the high teens Celsius overnight, with a chance of a tropical night (temperatures not falling below 20C) in a few places. Much of England and Wales will be hot, extending to parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, where peak temperatures are more likely in the upper 20s Celsius.
Daily Temperature Forecast
Predicted temperatures across southern Britain feature peaks of approximately 32C on Monday and Tuesday, climbing to 33C on Wednesday, 34C on Thursday, with isolated spots potentially hitting 35C on Friday and Saturday. This follows a record-smashing conclusion to June, when Britain logged its most blistering day ever recorded for that month: 37.7C at Lingwood in Norfolk on June 26, surpassing the previous June record of 37.3C at Santon Downham in Suffolk.
Health Alerts and Impacts
Amber heat-health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for July 8 to 12 for six UK areas: East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East and South West. The UKHSA warned that substantial disruption is anticipated across health and social care services due to soaring temperatures. The amber alert signifies that "significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. There may also be impacts on younger age groups."
Swathes of southeast England are anticipated to satisfy official heatwave criteria by Monday's close, with additional areas set to breach their local heatwave limits as the week progresses. With high UV and temperatures, people are advised to take usual precautions with heat and sun.
Outlook
Indications suggest the heatwave will relent, returning to more typical summer temperatures during the week commencing July 13.
