London has endured eight consecutive days of heatwave conditions, with temperatures exceeding 28°C daily since Sunday, July 5. The third heatwave since May pushed the mercury to 34°C in the capital, exacerbating a prolonged dry spell stretching back to June 27. The hot, dry weather has fueled two significant fires in London over the past three days, causing major disruption.
The London Fire Brigade has issued an “extreme” wildfire risk warning for Monday, as parks and gardens become tinder-dry. Amid growing concerns of a widespread hosepipe ban, residents are asking: when will rain return?
This Week's Forecast
Monday is expected to be dry and warm, with a high of around 27°C, according to the Met Office. This would mark the end of the current heatwave, defined as three consecutive days with highs of at least 28°C. However, temperatures are set to rise again Tuesday, reaching 31°C. The remainder of the week remains warm and dry, with daytime peaks of 30°C on Wednesday, 29°C on Thursday, and 27°C on Friday.
Is Rain on the Horizon?
While the Met Office's seven-day forecast shows little change to the drought-like conditions, BBC Weather predicts a 50% likelihood of rain during Friday and Saturday afternoons. Following this, a return to mainly dry, sunny weather is forecast, with highs between 27°C and 29°C from Sunday, July 19, through Friday, July 24.
Thunderstorms Possible Later in July
BBC Weather also indicates a 60% chance of thunderstorms in London on Saturday, July 25. This follows two spectacular thunderstorm waves on June 27 and June 23, which brought thousands of lightning strikes and flash flooding to the capital.
