Much of the United Kingdom is set for the hottest day of the year so far as temperatures are expected to reach 25 to 30 Celsius on Friday, with the potential for 31C in south-east England. This warm spell follows a cooler start to July, which has seen temperatures dip 2C below the average, making Thursday’s high of 28.1C at Heathrow much welcomed. However, cooling weather is set to spread eastward throughout the weekend, with typical July temperatures expected by Sunday.
The health and social care services have issued heat health alerts that will remain in effect until Saturday morning for the Midlands, eastern, and southern parts of England. These alerts caution that heat could impact the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. For this to qualify as a heatwave, the Midlands, southern England, and East Anglia will need three consecutive days above 27C. This temperature threshold will increase to 28C in London and certain home counties. With temperatures starting to fall over the weekend, this brief hot spell may fall just short of the heatwave definition.
Whilst temperatures exceeding the 30C mark every summer since 1993 are not unusual, our climate has seen the number of days over 30C during summer vastly increase since the early 20th century due to climate change. As cooler air moves in from the west on Saturday, heavy and thundery showers will result, and temperatures will drop across much of the UK. While heat across eastern England will remain for one more day, temperatures are expected to reach a high of 26C before the warm and humid air clears on Sunday, bringing temperatures across the UK to a more typical mid-July range of 16 to 22C.
Today, the UK has been basking in hot weather as temperatures soared. As many parts reach the hottest day of the year so far – with potentials of 31C in south-east England – the cooling weather is predicted to spread eastward throughout the weekend. Health and social care services have issued heat health alerts for the Midlands, eastern, and southern regions until 11 am on Saturday, warning that heat could impact specific groups of people such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. To qualify as a heatwave, these regions require three consecutive days of temperatures above 27C, or 28C in areas such as London and home counties. As temperatures begin to cool over the weekend with heavy and thundery showers, most areas may not officially experience a heatwave.
Climate change has contributed to the increase in the number of days where temperatures exceed 30C in the summer since the 20th century. Whilst the temperature reaching this mark is not unusual, it is becoming much more frequent. As the warm and humid air clears on Sunday, typical mid-July temperatures of 16 to 22C will be expected across the UK. On Thursday, many parts of the UK saw temperatures go above 25C, something we have not seen since the end of June’s heatwave
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