Third scorching UK heatwave coming in days – however there can be north south divide
The Met Office has warned that a return to heatwave conditions is “increasingly likely” with temperatures set to rocket into the 30Cs within days
London in a heatwave(Image: GETTY)
The Met Office has issued a warning that another scorching heatwave is “increasingly likely” within days – but with a marked north-south divide.
Southern areas including London and the east of England look set to push into the 30Cs, while parts of the North will remain closer to 25C.
Following last week’s record-smashing hot spell that saw the mercury hit 37.7C, conditions have rapidly cooled and dropped back to typical seasonal levels.
However, weather experts suggest this relief could be short-lived, with high pressure from the Azores ready to drive temperatures skyward once more as early as this weekend – especially in the South.
The hottest June day in UK history (37.7C) was recorded at Lingwood in Norfolk, east of Norwich, on Friday June 26 – surpassing the 37.3C logged at Santon Downham in Suffolk on the same day.
This occurred during unprecedented amber and red heat health warnings, which the Met Office said posed a danger to life even for those in good health, reports the Mirror.
Hospitals declared critical incidents as the blazing conditions caused equipment and IT systems to malfunction, while hundreds of schools across England shut their doors early.
Experts stated the extreme heat would have been impossible half a century ago, with man-made climate change leading to more intense and frequent bouts of extreme temperatures.
The Met Office has now indicated conditions will start to heat up again next week, possibly hitting heatwave criteria in some areas – most likely across the South and parts of the Midlands, rather than the North.
The report added that while temperatures in the 30s are on the cards, there are two key differences between this and previous heatwaves that have swept across the UK this year. Namely, temperatures are unlikely to smash any records, and we won’t be seeing the same high levels of humidity.
However, despite assurances that the upcoming weather is likely to feel more comfortable, new yellow heat health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for vast swathes of the country. These warnings indicate a “greater risk to life for vulnerable people”, among other things.
The UKHSA has stated that these alerts, which will be in effect from 12pm on Saturday, 4th July, until 5pm on Wednesday, 8th July, could impact health and social care services in areas such as the East Midlands, South East, South West, east of England and London. There’s also an increased likelihood of indoor environments becoming uncomfortably hot, with the potential for water-related incidents, including risks from cold-water shock and drowning, to rise.
Tony Wisson, deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: “Toward the weekend, high pressure will continue to build in across most of the UK as it extends from the Azores. This will lead to more settled, warm or very warm conditions for many, especially across England and Wales, though some rain may still affect the far north.”
He continued: “The forecast for this weekend suggests that temperatures could approach high 20s°C across parts of England, perhaps 30°C in parts of the southeast, with values of mid to high 20s°C in Wales. Although a return to heatwave conditions is looking increasingly likely for some areas, the likelihood of such extreme high temperatures or high levels of humidity as last week is currently low.”
Latest Met Office temperature charts indicate 27C predicted across southern England on Sunday afternoon, with the mercury climbing to 29C on Monday and Tuesday – while some northern areas may only see highs around 22C over the same period, underlining the north-south split.
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