The United Kingdom has officially entered its third heatwave of the year, with the Met Office forecasting temperatures as high as 35 degrees Celsius in isolated areas later this week. South East England has already met the heatwave criteria after three consecutive days above 28 degrees Celsius, and more regions are expected to reach their local thresholds as the week progresses.
Temperature Forecast and Regional Breakdown
According to the Met Office, parts of southern England could see highs of around 32 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, rising to 33 degrees on Wednesday and 34 degrees on Thursday. The highest readings of 35 degrees are forecast for isolated areas on Friday and Saturday. On Monday, the highest temperature recorded was 34 degrees Celsius in Teddington, south-west London. While southern areas face increasingly hot conditions from Monday evening, a north-south divide will persist through the first half of the week. Scotland is expected to experience stronger winds and outbreaks of rain on Tuesday, with temperatures remaining closer to the seasonal average.
Heat Health Alerts Issued
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber heat health alerts for the Midlands and southern England, effective from 9am on Wednesday until 9pm on Sunday. These alerts indicate significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with pre-existing health conditions. Yellow heat health alerts have also been issued for Yorkshire and northern England for the same period, with the UKHSA warning of potential increases in water-related incidents, including cold water shock and drowning.
Tropical Nights and Other Warnings
The Met Office has warned that England could experience 'tropical nights' later this week, where temperatures will not fall below 20 degrees Celsius. National Rail Enquiries has urged train passengers to check for updates over the coming days due to the heatwave. The Met Office also noted that UV levels are expected to be high or very high across many parts of the UK throughout the week, advising people to use sun protection. Additionally, pollen levels are forecast to be high or very high in some areas.
Expert Comments and Precautions
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Steven Keates stated: “Parts of the UK are entering heatwave conditions: the third heatwave in the UK so far this year. However, unlike the May and June heatwaves, we are not expecting this heatwave to be record-breaking. Temperatures this week are not expected to reach the highs we witnessed last month, though parts of southern England in particular are likely to see several days in the low 30s, and a few places could reach 34-35C later this week.” He advised people to take the usual precautions with the heat and the sun. By the weekend, warm air is forecast to reach northern parts of the UK, with conditions becoming increasingly humid and a growing risk of showers or isolated thunderstorms. Early next week, temperatures are likely to fall slightly, though many areas will stay dry and warm.
