The UK is bracing itself for yet another sweltering week as a prolonged heatwave shows no signs of abating. With high pressure dominating the weather pattern, parts of England are set to sizzle in temperatures up to 30-32°C, particularly in the South East.
England's regions are not equal when it comes to this heatwave. London and the South East will bear the brunt, with consistent daytime highs hovering between 27-31°C Celsius. The Midlands and northern England will experience warm but slightly less extreme conditions, typically reaching mid-20s Celsius during the day.
In Wales, temperatures are expected to soar in eastern areas, ranging from mid-to-high 20s Celsius. Scotland's Central Belt and southern regions should enjoy pleasant conditions, with low to mid-20s Celsius temperatures on the cards. Northern Ireland will be warm and sunny, but perhaps a bit more prone to isolated showers.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a Level 2 Heat-Health Alert for several areas, including London, the South East, and the East of England. This alert signals a moderate risk to vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly, young children, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Light winds, typically below 10-15 mph, will exacerbate the feeling of heat in urban areas, where the urban heat island effect is more pronounced. The lack of natural ventilation means homes and public spaces will struggle to cool down.
A shift in the weather pattern towards next week's end could bring an end to this prolonged heatwave, with cooler air masses pushing in and potentially leading to rain and milder temperatures across the country. However, forecasters caution that the exact timing and intensity of this change remain uncertain and subject to updates from the Met Office.