The United Kingdom is preparing for its sixth heatwave in three months, with forecasters predicting temperatures to climb above 30 degrees Celsius starting this weekend and lasting for nearly a week. This latest surge in heat comes as parts of the country have experienced 50 consecutive days without substantial rainfall, exacerbating drought conditions.
The country has been experiencing a brief reprieve from the intense heat with cooler Atlantic air, but this is expected to dissipate as southerly winds draw hot continental air into the UK from Saturday. The approaching heatwave is forecast to persist until at least Thursday.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow heat health alerts for the South and Midlands, effective from Saturday until Tuesday, with the possibility of extensions. These alerts warn that the high temperatures could place additional strain on the National Health Service, particularly for vulnerable populations.
A heatwave is officially defined by the Met Office as three consecutive days where daily maximum temperatures meet or exceed a regional threshold. For London, this threshold is 28 degrees Celsius, a mark expected to be met daily from Saturday through Thursday, with highs ranging from 28C to 33C.
This summer has already seen five heatwaves, including two record-breaking periods in May and June that were linked to over 2,800 excess deaths. Further heatwaves occurred in July, with the fifth being confirmed earlier this week.
While temperatures had recently returned to seasonal averages, they are set to rise again. "The warm weather is continuing once again," said Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick. Saturday is anticipated to be dry with ample sunshine, reaching highs of around 29C in central and southern England and eastern Wales. Sunday is expected to be warmer, with temperatures potentially reaching between 30C and 32C in south or southeast England.
Despite some isolated showers possible on Sunday, meteorologists do not expect them to significantly impact the dry conditions. A slight dip in temperatures is predicted for the following Monday, with highs around 27C to 29C in southern England, before rising again on Tuesday across England and Wales.
July marked the driest month on record for England and Wales since data collection began in 1836. Nineteen English counties registered minimal rainfall, receiving 1mm or less for the entire month. England received only a tenth of its average rainfall, while Wales saw just 9 percent of its average, both significantly lower than the previous record dry July in 1911. Furthermore, July was the sunniest on record for the UK, England, and Wales, and the sunniest calendar month ever observed for England and Wales.