UK set for intense hot blasts as Met Office predicts 'multiple heatwaves'

Jamie Brassington
·3-min read

Brits who basked in the sizzling heat at the start of the week have reason to celebrate, as the Met Office predicts there's a "slightly higher than normal chance of heatwaves" on the horizon for next month.

The country was under a four-day heat health alert from Monday to Thursday, a warning that came courtesy of both the Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). This week has seen the mercury rise to a balmy 25C to 29C across the UK, with earlier forecasts from the Met Office promising "plenty of sunny spells" and "very warm sunshine".

Wednesday scorched its way into the records as the hottest day of the year so far, hitting a peak of 30.3C at London's Heathrow Airport. Although yesterday brought a dip in temperatures and some rain showers to Scotland and northern England, it's not time to stow away the sunscreen just yet.

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Looking ahead from July 12 to 26, the Met Office's long-range forecast hints at a summer peppered with potential heatwaves. Their statement read: "As is normal for this time of year, predictability at this range is very low. Current indications suggest that there will likely be a continuation of the trend towards more settled weather through mid-July, with below-average rainfall and temperatures around to slightly above average."

Much of England was under a four-day heat health alert from Monday to Thursday, issued by the Met Office along with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Across the nation, balmy temperatures between 25C and 29C have been detected this week. The Met Office had earlier suggested that we would be treated to "plenty of sunny spells" alongside "very warm sunshine".

Although it did become cooler on the previous day with a touch of rain hitting Scotland and the north of England, it seems Britons need not stow away their sun lotion just yet.

According to the long-term forecast spanning July 12 to 26 by the Met Office, a summer lined up with heatwaves could potentially be on the cards.

The weather bureau affirmed, "As is normal for this time of year, predictability at this range is very low. Current indicators suggest that the trend towards more even-keeled weather throughout mid-July is likely to persist, coupled with below-average rainfall and average to slightly above average temperatures."

"Any more significant rainfall would most likely occur in the northwest, with thunderstorms possible elsewhere. There is a slightly higher than normal chance of heatwaves developing during this period."

While the weather looks set to warm up from mid-July, we can expect to feel the balmy conditions as early as the start of the month. The Met Office's long-range forecast for July 1 to July 10 indicates "a good deal of dry, warm, and settled weather".

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