The UK is expected to see its hottest day of the year so far, with signs pointing to an official heatwave being declared this week.
According to Met Office weather forecasts, highs of 32°C will be reached in London on Tuesday, following a balmy Monday where almost all of the country will see temperatures in the mid-to-high twenties..
Yellow heat warnings have been issued for all of England except the North East and North West until Wednesday.
The hot weather could have ‘significant impacts’ on the NHS and social care, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says.
The mercury is expected to hover up to five degreees warmer than what’s typical for this time of year, forecasters say.
That includes highs on Tuesday of 30°C in Southampton, 28°C in Devon, 27°C in south Wales, 26°C in North Yorkshire and 27°C around most of the Midlands.
The current hottest recorded day of the year was July 19, when 31.9°C was reached in central London.
Non-stop sunshine is expected across almost all of the country on Monday and Tuesday.
The Met Office is predicting cloud cover will develop in some areas on Wednesday, although temperatures in the mid-to-high twenties are expected across the board.
Thunderstorms are expected to break out across England on Thursday, with particularly heavy showers expected in eastern parts of the country beginning in the early hours of the morning.
A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms is in place for most of southern England, the Midlands and most of northern England on Thursday.
A heatwave will be declared if highs of 28°C or more are recorded in London three days in a row – which is currently predicted to happen.
Simon Partridge, forecaster at Met Office, said: ‘There is certainly potential that it could become an actual official heatwave, because in the spells you’ve had before it hasn’t actually met all the criteria.
‘If there’s not, it’s very close to it, and if you’re out and about and a member of the public then it’s going to feel like a heatwave anyway, because also overnight things are going to turn a little bit more humid and muggy day-on-day as well.’
An official heatwave could also be declared if temperatures meet or exceed 25°C, 26°C, or 27°C in other parts of the country. The threshold varies depending on the region.
While this week’s heat may be uncomfortable or even unsafe for some, others will welcome the more seasonal weather after an unusually wet and cool July.
Many areas did not see temperatures of 25°C until the second half of the month.
The threshold for an official heatwave was nearly reached around July 19, but a front of chilly, wet weather quickly swept in over the following days and left a week of more typical summer weather in its wake.
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