Britain is anticipating further thunderstorms as turbulent weather intensifies following a record-breaking heatwave, the Met Office has warned. This comes after lightning strikes ignited house fires and led to significant disruptions, including over 800 flight delays at Heathrow and Gatwick airports, with dozens of flights cancelled.
The nation experienced a period of extreme heat, with records broken for three consecutive days. Provisional temperatures reached a peak of 37.3C (99.1F) in Santon Downham, Suffolk, on Friday, and Saturday saw a high of 32.3C (90.1F) in the same location. An amber warning for extreme heat has been extended for the East and South East of England, remaining in effect until Sunday morning.
A yellow thunderstorm warning is active across parts of the UK until Saturday evening, with the Met Office forecasting frequent lightning, large hail, gusty winds, and brief heavy downpours in central and eastern England. Thunderstorms have already impacted the country, causing widespread travel disruption.
By Saturday evening, FlightAware reported 484 inbound and outbound flights were still delayed across Heathrow and Gatwick. Heathrow experienced a 42% delay rate, while Gatwick reported 50% of flights delayed.
Among those affected by the travel chaos was a 26-year-old journalist from Manchester who found his flight from the South of France cancelled upon arrival at the airport. He reported difficulties in obtaining assistance from the airline and noted that other passengers were in similar predicaments, with some facing potential delays until Monday or Tuesday due to a lack of available flights.
The severe weather has also led to property damage, with several homes catching fire due to lightning strikes, including two in East Sussex. Firefighters responded to blazes in Eastbourne and Bexhill shortly after midnight.
Similar weather patterns have affected France, with images showing lightning striking the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The thunderstorms forecast for Saturday evening are expected to move northeast before clearing over the North Sea. The Met Office warned of potential short-term power outages and damage to structures.
Temperatures are forecast to drop by approximately 5C to 6C on Sunday, with highs expected to range from 25C to 26C on the eastern coast and in the mid-to-low 20s elsewhere. Humidity levels are also predicted to fall, offering a "much fresher feel" compared to the preceding week, according to Met Office meteorologist Liam Eslik.
This recent heatwave shattered the previous June heat record, which dated back to 1976, by over 1C. The extreme temperatures have been linked to a "heat-dome" phenomenon over western Europe. Scientists have noted that such intense heatwaves are becoming more frequent and severe due to human-driven climate change, primarily from burning fossil fuels.
The heatwave's impact has been felt across various sectors, including emergency services and public health. The London Ambulance Service reported its busiest day in history on Friday, handling 8,869 calls, including 688 life-threatening incidents. Numerous schools and nurseries closed, and a hosepipe ban was implemented in Kent. Several hospitals declared critical incidents, leading to the cancellation of operations and appointments.
The period of intense heat also tragically coincided with a series of water-related fatalities. Six individuals drowned during the heatwave, adding to 15 water-related deaths recorded in May. Among the recent incidents, the body of 22-year-old Brody Leach was recovered from the River Severn in Shrewsbury on Friday. Other reported incidents include the death of a 69-year-old man in Clacton-on-Sea, the recovery of a body from Weymouth harbour, and the search for a missing 15-year-old boy who disappeared while swimming in Testwood Lakes. A 13-year-old boy was also found deceased in a lake in Leicestershire, and a 50-year-old man died at Aberavon Beach in South Wales. In Cromer, Norfolk, a man was hospitalized after experiencing difficulty in the sea.
Looking ahead, the Met Office anticipates a mixed weather picture for the UK next week, with a combination of cloudy and sunny spells, interspersed with rain from the west at times. The current amber warning for extreme heat in the Southeast of England is set to expire on Sunday morning, with temperatures expected to return to more average levels early next week.