The RAC has estimated that 14.1 million motorists will embark on journeys between Friday and Sunday as schools break up for the summer holidays, marking the second-busiest summer getaway since records began in 2016. The Met Office confirms the heatwave will persist for at least another seven to 10 days, with temperatures having topped 30°C for 11 consecutive days.
Busiest Day on the Roads
The RAC predicts Saturday will be the busiest day for getaway journeys, with 3.8 million trips planned. Friday and Sunday are each expected to see 3.4 million journeys, with an additional 6.8 million trips spread across the three-day period as drivers remain uncertain about their exact travel day. This surge is only surpassed by 2022, when 18.8 million journeys were recorded following the easing of coronavirus restrictions.
Heatwave Persists
Met Office spokesman Graham Madge said: "The settled and fine conditions people are currently enjoying look locked in for the next seven to 10 days and are likely to remain strong." While the weekend will bring plenty of sunshine and dry weather, isolated showers and a slight dip in temperatures are possible. It remains uncertain whether the heatwave will extend beyond 10 days and into late July.
David Hayter, the Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist, noted: "Every day for the last 11 days, somewhere in the UK has seen temperatures reach or exceed 30°C. The high pressure, which has brought this prolonged fine spell, will continue for the next week or so at least, but will shift enough to enable a more northerly flow that will introduce a cooler feel that will end the run of 30°C days." He added that some locations may still experience heatwave conditions into the end of the week.
Regional Temperature Variations
England has been particularly warm, with mean temperatures currently 2.4°C above the average of 21°C expected for this time of year. Wales is sitting 2.2°C above its average of around 19.3°C. Scotland and Northern Ireland remain closer to seasonal norms at 17.3°C and 18.6°C respectively, but are still running above average by 0.9°C and 1.3°C.
Whether the current heatwave continues depends on whether temperatures exceed 28°C in London or 25°C for the rest of the country for three consecutive days. The UK has experienced a sweltering summer with above-average temperatures and persistently warm nights.
School Holidays Begin
Most schools in England and Wales break up for the summer holidays at the end of this week or early next week, while the academic year has already ended in Scotland and Northern Ireland. This timing aligns with the peak travel period, contributing to the high number of motorists on the roads.
