Britain braces for 29C highs as we speak after hottest day in two years

Temperatures will remain warm across parts of Britain this week with highs of 29C (84F) expected this afternoon following the hottest day in nearly two years.

The warmth and sunshine is forecast to linger in the South East over the coming days although temperatures will cool elsewhere as rain moves in from the Atlantic.

While eastern England will enjoy 29C (84F) conditions today, the North East will reach 24C (75F) and western England, Wales and Scotland will only get to 20C (68F).

The South East should still enjoy temperatures of between 24C (75F) and 26C (79F) for the rest of this week – and a yellow heat health alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency for most of England will remain in force until 9am tomorrow.

The mercury soared to 34.8C (94.6F) in Cambridge yesterday, smashing the UK’s previous record for 2024 of 32.0C (89.6F) which was set in West London on July 30.

Yesterday was also the hottest UK day since August 13, 2022 – having exceeded the annual 2023 high which was 33.5C (92.3F) at Faversham in Kent on September 10.

And it was just the 11th year since 1961 that temperatures as high as 34.8C have been recorded. Eight of those years have been since 2000 and six in the last decade. 

But temperatures did not get close to when Coningsby in Lincolnshire made it to 40.3C (104.5F) on July 19, 2022 – the hottest temperature ever recorded in the UK.

Now, the very hot weather is being replaced by a ‘westerly airflow’ for the UK which will bring showers, longer spells of rain and a return to more average temperatures for the time of year.

The North West of the UK could experience heavier rain tomorrow evening and into Thursday with ‘relatively high rainfall totals possible’ for some western and north-western high ground.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Chris Bulmer said: ‘The UK’s weather is transitioning to a less warm, rather more unsettled period in the coming days, though those in the south east will keep the drier warmer theme on Tuesday, and at times beyond this.

‘While a mixture of conditions is likely through the week, with various bands of rain moving from west to east at times, there’s a signal for some more persistent and heavy rain on Thursday for those in northern and western parts of the UK.

‘While there are still some details to work out, some western hills could see in excess of 50mm (2in) of rain through the period, with 15mm (0.6in) to 30mm (1.2in) of rain likely quite widely in the north and west.

‘Those further south and east are likely to see lower rainfall totals in general through the week. Winds will also be a notable feature for the time of year, particularly in parts of the west.’

It follows the death of a two-year-old boy after he was pulled from a canal in Wolverhampton during hot weather on Sunday afternoon, according to West Midlands Police.

Officers do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances around the boy’s death after he was pulled from the water off Hendon Avenue in Ettingshall.

The incident followed the discovery of a 33-year-old man’s body on August 6 in a river in Coventry.

The UK Health Security Agency alert means those who are particularly vulnerable, such as the elderly with multiple health conditions, are likely to struggle to cope with the heat, and action may be required in the health and social care sector.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director of Age UK, said any older person living with health conditions should stay as cool as they can and advised friends and neighbours to offer help with picking up prescriptions or groceries.

She said: ‘Ageing bodies find it difficult to deal with extremes of temperature, so even if you are someone who has always loved the heat this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll find a day like today as pleasant and easy to deal with as you used to.

‘It pays to know your own body and to stay in touch with it as it changes over the years, but certainly if you are living with serious heart or lung conditions then it’s important to avoid getting too hot.

‘There are some simple tips we can follow to stay safe and well in the heat but for most of us it’s largely a matter of exercising common sense.’

The Met Office recommended that people keep curtains closed during the peak of the day and drink a lot of water.

The RAC urged drivers to check coolant and oil levels in their vehicles as high temperatures increase the risk of breakdowns and overheating.

Breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson said: ‘To prepare for all eventualities, it’s a good idea to carry a few important items with you such as plenty of water and food, sunscreen, an umbrella for shade, and a portable battery pack and cable to keep your mobile phone well charged.

‘Those driving vehicles without effective air conditioning should consider delaying any non-essential journeys by car until tomorrow when the Met Office forecast no longer applies, or wait to use the car in cooler temperatures this evening.

‘This is especially important for vulnerable people, including the very young and elderly, for whom the extremely high temperatures pose a clear health risk. We also want to remind drivers never to leave pets in a hot car, which can prove fatal.’