Another heatwave is set to hit the England with high temperatures expected from as soon as next week, a forecast suggested. London is set to bake under scorching sunshine for 10 consecutive days, with temperatures expected to exceed the official heatwave threshold from July 9 to July 18, according to BBC Weather’s latest forecasts. The capital is expected to reach at least 28C every day in that period, with weekend highs of up to 32C on Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13. If these conditions materialise, it would mark the third heatwave in the UK in less than a month, following record-breaking temperatures in June and early July.
According to the Met Office, a heatwave is defined as a period where daily maximum temperatures meet or exceed the heatwave threshold for three consecutive days. For London and the South East, the minimum is 28C, while 25C is the threshold for much of northern and western parts of the UK.
WX Charts also supports the forecast of intense heat for at least part of this period. On Saturday, July 12, highs of 30C to 31C are expected across the East and West Midlands and the South West of England, peaking around 6pm, according to the latest weather map generated on July 5 by the service.
Another WX Charts map shows that Wednesday, July 9, will already see 28C across the southeast, kicking off what could be an extended heatwave.
This spell of heat follows a record smashing June, which the Met Office confirmed was the hottest ever recorded in England, and the second warmest across the UK since records began in 1884, accorded to the latest Met Office provisional data.
Just days ago, London’s St James’s Park saw temperatures hit 34.7C, the hottest day of the year so far. Zoe Hutin, a meteorologist at the Met Office, confirmed that conditions are developing that could trigger another official heatwave.
She said: “Whilst it is difficult this far ahead to determine exactly how hot things could get next week and weekend, there is the potential that some parts of the country could reach heatwave criteria.”
“Most likely it will be the south and east that see prolonged heat and thus could have another heatwave, but it is too soon to say exactly how high temperatures could get.”
The Met Office’s long range forecast for Wednesday July 9 to Friday July 18 reads: “A broad northwest/southeast split in the weather looks most likely through much of this period.
“Towards the northwest, Atlantic frontal systems will bring occasional rain and cloudier skies at times, along with breezier conditions, though there should be some drier, brighter interludes too. Further south and east, high pressure will likely dominate with a fair amount of dry and sunny weather to be had.
“With this, there is a signal for increasing heat and humidity and the potential for another period of hot weather around the second weekend of July, and possibly lasting into the following week.
“Whilst a lot of dry weather is likely in the south, thunderstorms are possible at times, though widespread rainfall looks unlikely.”