Amber heat warnings have been issued for parts of southern England as a second heatwave in three weeks approaches, with temperatures expected to climb to 30C on Friday and remain high over the weekend, reaching 33C on Monday.
Heatwave conditions and warnings
The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber heat health warnings for eastern England, London, the south-east and the south-west from Thursday morning until Tuesday evening. These warnings indicate risk to the wider population, not just vulnerable groups. Yellow alerts are also in place for the East and West Midlands.
The Met Office stated that some areas in southern England are likely to meet heatwave criteria by Saturday, with more widespread conditions on Sunday. A heatwave is defined when a temperature threshold is met three days in a row, ranging from 25C to 28C across different parts of England.
Temperature forecasts
In May, the UK broke its temperature record for the month with highs of 35C. The hottest temperatures this week are expected to be 32C on Friday in East Anglia, 32C in the south and south-east of England on Sunday, with potential for 33C in the same areas on Monday. However, the rest of the UK will experience cooler temperatures; for example, Glasgow is expected to be eight or nine degrees lower than London.
Met Office comments
Gregory Wolverson, the Met Office’s deputy chief forecaster, said: “This week’s weather reflects a contrast we often see in summer, with more unsettled conditions passing to the north-west of the UK while heat builds in the south and east. As we move towards the weekend, we’ll see conditions become more widely settled and temperatures rise all round. Many parts of southern and eastern England are likely to see temperatures high enough to meet heatwave thresholds.”
Wolverson added that despite the hot weather, there would likely be cloudy conditions in places and a chance of thunderstorms.
Safety advice
The Met Office reiterated water safety advice after 16 people died in water during the May heatwave. They reminded that the sea is still cold at this time of year, which can cause cold-water shock at temperatures below 15C. People are encouraged to be aware of strong currents and hidden obstacles, only swim accompanied by others, and float on their backs if they get into trouble.
