Temperatures could reach 33C this weekend as heatwave set to hit parts of UK
Temperatures could hit 33C this weekend as parts of the UK bask in a heatwave.
Forecasters are expecting temperatures to climb to a peak of 33C on Sunday in the east of England, approaching the highest ever temperature recorded in June – 35.6C in 1976.
And yellow heat-health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for most of England from midday on Wednesday until 6pm on Sunday.
The alerts, which means there could be an increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people, cover Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, London, the South East and South West.
An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK.
Temperatures are predicted to reach 27C on Tuesday and Wednesday, 29C on Thursday, 30C by Friday, then 32C on Saturday and peak at 33C on Sunday, the Met Office said.
And some thundery showers could be seen across the far west on Friday night into Saturday.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley said: 'Heat is the main story this week, with high pressure building and temperatures rising to heatwave levels in some areas by the weekend.
'Today and tomorrow, we could see maximum temperatures of 27C in the south of England, and 29C on Thursday.
'The trend for temperatures to rise continues into Friday, with a maximum of 30C in central England. With the hot temperatures, we could also see some thundery showers across the far west Friday night into Saturday.
'Widespread very warm conditions are expected on Saturday, with a top temperature of 32C. Sunday looks to see the peak of the very warm spell, with a headline max of 33C possible. This is most likely to be in the east of England, with other areas seeing temperatures into the high 20s to low 30 Celsius. Warm, and perhaps even 'tropical nights' will also be a feature this week.
'At present, the highest temperature ever recorded in June was 35.6C in Southampton in 1976. The warmest day of the year so far was 29.4C on June 13, recorded at Santon Downham in Suffolk.
'High pressure is expected to move away from the UK into early next week resulting in temperatures falling. However, there is uncertainty in how quickly this happens, and the peak temperatures experienced across the UK.'
The hotter weather is a 'welcome lift' for the hospitality sector, Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said.
She said: 'This spell of warm weather will no doubt be a welcome lift for hospitality venues up and down the country, as people look to eat, drink and socialise outdoors.
'Businesses will now be hoping for a strong summer to help counterbalance the significant cost pressures they're contending with. Rain or shine, I'd encourage everyone to get out and support their local hospitality businesses.'
Katy Alston, who has been in the ice cream trade for more than 20 years and runs Pinks Parlour near the beach in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, said this week's weather will be 'the difference between night and day' for her business.
She said: 'We get so excited because this is what we wait for.
'People who work in ice cream vans are risk takers because you never know when that big yellow ball is going to come out.'
Ms Alston said on Tuesday morning she had 84 inquiries from businesses wanting an ice cream van to visit, which is more than the last month.
'We want to go to as many people as we can,' she said. 'We're now making gelato around the clock, as fast as we're making it, we're selling it.
'It's our Christmas time.'
Meanwhile, the London Fire Brigade has issued a warning over wildfires before the prolonged spell of hot weather and following one of the driest springs on record.
London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Pam Oparaocha said: 'For many people, this week will feel like the start of summer with temperatures rising, especially as the sunny weather is expected to continue into the weekend and beyond.
'With hot weather comes the temptation to host BBQs or to head out to one of London's many open spaces to enjoy the sunshine. However, it is important to make sure you are doing so safely. We've had the driest spring in over a century, and the result is a heightened risk of grass fires, while the dry weather also means that fires can spread more easily.
'If you're out in the park or at an open space, please don't take a disposable BBQ with you, make sure that smoking materials are discarded of properly and either dispose of your rubbish in the appropriate bins or take it home with you if none are available. If you're having a BBQ at home, avoid doing so on a balcony and ensure your BBQ is away from flammable materials like fences and sheds. You should also avoid having your BBQ on any decking you may have in your garden.
'We're also urging landowners and local authorities to take action now by creating fire breaks to protect communities from wildfires this summer. This includes cutting back or ploughing grass, especially where it lies close to properties. These fire breaks can help slow down the spread of fire, as well as protecting people and their properties.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
27 minutes ago
- The Independent
Thousands watch sunrise over Stonehenge during summer solstice heat
Thousands of people gathered at Stonehenge in Wiltshire on Saturday to celebrate the summer solstice, marking the year's longest day. Attendees experienced warm temperatures, with Salisbury and Greater London reaching 18C by 5am, and some areas like Yeovilton and Crosby recording nearly 20C overnight. The solstice event is one of the rare occasions visitors are allowed close to the stones at the World Heritage site, which is aligned with the midsummer sunrise. English Heritage curator Jennifer Wexler highlighted that people have been marking the solstice at Stonehenge for thousands of years, observing the sun rising behind the Heel Stone. An amber heat-health alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency, remains in effect for all regions in England until Monday morning, following a heatwave that began on Friday.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Action to help 'Robin Hood' tree in Sherwood Forest in heatwave
An ancient oak tree associated with the legend of Robin Hood is feeling the strain in the current heatwave, experts have Major Oak in Sherwood Forest, in Nottinghamshire, is thought to be between 800 and 1,100 years old and has survived fires, winds and snowstorms during its long now conservationists have taken action to protect it from the latest threat - the soaring RSPB, which runs the nature reserve, said it had delivered 3,000 litres (660 gallons) of water to the tree's thirsty roots using special irrigation equipment. In a social media post, the charity said: "As the heatwave continues, the legendary Major Oak is feeling the strain and we're taking action."Thanks to the tech we've installed, we've been alerted that the ancient tree needs extra support."This is just one part of our ongoing efforts to care for this iconic natural treasure as it faces even more challenges." Visitors to the site have expressed concern about the impact of the heat on the tree, which, as legend has it, once gave shelter to the outlaw Robin Hudson said he had never seen so few leaves on the tree in the summer time."It shocked us," he added."The higher section has no smaller branches [or] twigs to produce leaves on and there's hardly any on the extremity."And Tracy Hall said she thought the tree was looking "particularly poor"."The signs that it is struggling have been there a couple of years now," she said. Last year the RSPB dispelled rumours the tree was to recent concerns about the tree's health, it said: "This watering system is just the latest development in a whole range of activity we've undertaken."We have been working with leading arborists and soil health specialists for several years, specifically focusing on the health of the Major Oak and possible solutions to the issue of soil compaction around its roots, in particular."On their advice, the vegetation around the tree is left to grow through its full cycle so its roots fully develop and help to break up the compacted soil, to retain moisture and nutrients and to enhance the biodiversity of its enclosure by attracting pollinating insects and other wildlife."The charity said it was into the third year of a root restoration programme overseen by one of the UK's leading soil microbiology specialists.
Sky News
an hour ago
- Sky News
Thousands watch summer solstice sunrise at Stonehenge - on what could become hottest day of year so far
Thousands of people gathered at Stonehenge to watch the summer solstice sunrise, marking the year's longest day - on what could become the hottest day of the year so far. Those gathering at Stonehenge had a warm start, with temperatures in Salisbury and Greater London reaching 18C by 5am, according to the Met Office. The Met Office confirmed "many places" in England and "one or two areas" in Wales, including Cardiff, entered a heatwave on Friday. The forecaster confirmed the highest overnight temperatures were recorded in Yeovilton, in Somerset, and Crosby, in Merseyside, both reaching 19.7C by 6am on Saturday, with towns in Cumbria and Lancashire recording temperatures above 19C. An amber heat-health alert is in place for all regions in England over the weekend. Solstice events at Stonehenge are some of the rare occasions when visitors are allowed to get close to the stones at the World Heritage site, which was built to align with the sun on the solstices. Solstices are believed to have been celebrated at Stonehenge for thousands of years. The summer solstice sees the sun rise behind the Heel Stone, the ancient entrance to the Stone Circle, with rays of sunlight being channelled into the centre of the monument. It takes place as one of the Earth's poles reaches its maximum tilt towards the sun as it reaches its highest position in the sky, giving the longest period of daylight for the year and signifying the end of spring. It comes as scattered thunderstorms are set to hit the UK amid continued high temperatures on Saturday, with 34C possible in some areas. The yellow weather warning for thunderstorms covers all of northern England, from Nottingham to up above Newcastle, and will come into force from 3pm and last until 4am on Sunday. The Met Office warned the most intense storms could produce "frequent lightning, large hail and gusty winds, as well as a chance of flooding. Parts of eastern England could see temperatures beat the 32.2C seen on Thursday, making it the hottest day of the year so far. There will also be very high UV and pollen levels across the country, the Met Office said.
