The Met Office has named the date when rain will return to the UK after a heatwave that is expected to push temperatures to 36°C in parts of England. Heavy rain is forecast for Thursday morning, particularly in the Highlands of Scotland, where more than an inch of rain is expected to fall by 7am.
Heatwave to Peak on Thursday
Another heatwave, Britain's sixth of the summer, is predicted to start from Monday (August 10). Temperatures are forecast to climb steadily, with highs between 27°C and 29°C on Monday, 30°C on Tuesday, and between 32°C and 34°C on Wednesday. The mercury will peak at 36°C on Thursday in parts of East Anglia and south-east England, according to the Met Office's deputy chief forecaster, Mike Silverstone.
Silverstone said: “After a brief dip on Monday, high pressure will move across the UK before settling to the east, allowing a southerly flow to develop. A fairly widespread heatwave is likely across large parts of England and Wales, with hot conditions developing in places. The heat is expected to peak for much of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland on Wednesday, with up to 34°C possible in parts of central and southern England and southeast Wales. East Anglia and south-east England, however, could see temperatures even higher on Thursday.”
North-South Split on Thursday
While temperatures will pass the 30°C mark everywhere south of Ashington in the north east of England, those further north will see heavy rainfall. The worst conditions will be in the Highlands of Scotland, where more than an inch of rain is forecast to fall at 7am on Thursday (August 13), according to the forecast issued at 5am on Monday.
From Monday morning until then, the country will largely stay dry with only isolated showers dampening the heatwave in the Lake District and Scotland.
Health Alerts and Advice
Most of England is subject to a yellow heat health alert from the UK Health Security Agency until Wednesday, but another alert could follow due to the high temperatures in some parts of the country. During the heatwave, the Met Office advises the public to wear sunscreen, stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during the hottest part of the day, and check on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours.
