London is expected to experience another heatwave in the coming days, with temperatures potentially reaching 34C next Wednesday, according to weather forecasting site WXCharts. The capital looks set to avoid the thunderstorms that could hit much of the country this week.
The BBC forecasts highs of 30C next week, while WXCharts suggests potential peaks of 33 or 34C in the capital. According to the Met Office, London will remain in the mid-20s early this week, close to the August average, before temperatures rise again through the weekend and into next week, driven by temporary high pressure and southerly winds.
Heatwave threshold and tropical nights
A heatwave in London is defined as three or more consecutive days with temperatures reaching 28C or higher. The BBC forecasts these marks to be exceeded from Wednesday, August 12, to Saturday, August 15, making it the sixth heatwave of the summer.
There will also be a return of "tropical nights," with WXCharts predicting a particularly sticky night on Thursday, August 13, when temperatures could remain around 31C at midnight.
Thunderstorms elsewhere
Meanwhile, the capital seems set to avoid the large area of low pressure crossing the UK, which will bring heavy rain, thunder, and lightning to many parts of the country. Much of the north and west of the UK will be affected, with thunderstorms expected in parts later on Wednesday.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for the northeast of Scotland between 10am and 9pm, warning of heavy, slow-moving showers and some thunderstorms. The storms could produce up to 50mm of rain in just three to six hours, leading to possible localised flash flooding and impacts on transport networks.
It is set to be windy across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, and northern England on Wednesday, with gales possible on hills and coasts. The rain could head south by Thursday, but forecasters predict the weather will turn more showery. Some rain may reach parched areas in the east of England, but little is expected for central and southern England.
Record-breaking summer
This follows a boiling June and July, with weather-related records falling day after day. On Tuesday, the UK registered its 34th day of temperatures reaching 30C or higher in a calendar year, equalling the record set in 1995.
Provisional statistics showed that only 5.6mm of rainfall was recorded in England in July - less than half of the previous record of 13.4mm set in 1911. Aerial pictures show the parched London landscape after weeks of hot, dry weather, while a number of wildfires have broken out.
