The North East is set to enjoy warm but healthy temperatures next week, with highs of 29°C in Darlington, while southern parts of the UK brace for a fifth heatwave with temperatures expected to reach 36°C in East Anglia and south-east England by Thursday.
The Met Office has warned that heatwave conditions will return next week, with record-breaking temperatures possible. The North East will see an average of 26°C, providing a stark contrast to the scorching conditions further south.
Impact of repeated heatwaves
While some enjoy the heat, repeated heatwaves have had devastating effects. Two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June led to more than 2,800 excess deaths, and two more in July have fuelled drought and wildfires across the country.
Wildfires have broken out in several areas, including Dunwich Heath in Suffolk, Headon Warren on the Isle of Wight, Llanwonno in South Wales, and the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. In July, a wildfire in County Durham spread across around 100,000 square metres – roughly the size of 14 football pitches – with smoke visible from Durham city centre.
Record-breaking year
So far this year, there have been 33 days when temperatures exceeded 30°C somewhere in the UK. The record of 34 days, set in 1995, is likely to be broken next week.
Last month was the driest July for England and Wales since records began in 1836, with nineteen counties recording effectively no rainfall – 1mm or less – across the whole month, according to provisional Met Office figures.
Water safety concerns
Many deaths over the summer have been due to people getting into difficulty in water. Several have occurred off the North East coastline, including the deaths of a man in his 20s at Cullercoats Bay and two fathers in Seaton Carew, prompting the Chronicle to launch the Stay Water Safe campaign.
Despite the heatwaves further south, forecasters predict a strong north-south split, with Scotland and Northern Ireland likely to see heavy rain, while England and Wales remain largely dry, sunny, and increasingly warm.
The extended forecast for the North East indicates settled and generally dry weather, with a mixture of cloud and sunshine, turning very warm but breezy at times in coastal areas and over higher ground.
Wednesday's eclipse is forecast to be fair with minimal cloud, offering good opportunities to safely view the near-total eclipse.
