The Met Office has issued rarely-seen amber and red weather warnings across England and Wales as weather maps indicate temperatures could soar to 42C this week, potentially breaking the UK heat record of 40.3C from July 2022.
Record-Breaking Heat Expected
According to The Mirror, data from the UKV weather model suggests temperatures could climb almost 2C higher than the current record. The Met Office has warned that some regions could see temperatures as high as 40C on Wednesday and Thursday (June 24 and 25). The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also issued red heat health alerts across England, warning of severe impacts on the general population.
On Wednesday, 40C highs are expected in the south-west of England, with temperatures rising into the high 30s across southern, central, and eastern England. However, Thursday is forecast to be even warmer, with the UKV model showing 42C possible in the north-west, eastern England, South Yorkshire, and Nottinghamshire at around 3pm. This would constitute a new all-time temperature record for the UK.
Counties at Risk
Data shows highs of 40C or more are possible across the central belt of England, as well as in some northern areas and the south-west. In total, 24 counties could reach the 40C mark on Thursday, including Cheshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, and Somerset.
Humidity and Tropical Nights
The Met Office has warned of extremely humid conditions accompanying this heatwave. Dew points, which indicate humidity, are forecast to reach around 22C, compared to single digits during the record-breaking July 2022 heatwave. Widespread 'Tropical Nights' are also expected, with temperatures unlikely to drop below 20C overnight in southern parts of England, especially in urban areas. Daytime temperatures are expected to peak at 37C today, and could reach 40C on Wednesday and Thursday.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway said: “Red warnings are reserved for the most severe events and we’re expecting severe and significant impacts from this heatwave, with health impacts likely for many, even beyond those who are normally more vulnerable to the heat. The last time the UK recorded temperatures this high was in July 2022, but on this occasion the heat is expected to be accompanied by high humidity. As well as very high daytime temperatures, there will be consecutive nights where temperatures do not drop below 20C, which is called a Tropical Night. This will make it very hard for people to recover from the daytime heat, exacerbating the heat stress impacts.”
