Just weeks after the last heatwave, Brits are braced for yet another one this weekend.
Temperatures are expected to hit the high–20s ‘quite widely’, with the potential for 32°C to be reached in some parts of the country.
These temperatures were once considered extreme in the UK.
However, Professor Andrew Charlton–Perez, professor of meteorology and Head of the School of Mathematical, Computational and Physical Sciences, University of Reading, warns they’re now becoming the norm.
‘It’s perhaps a sign of how much our perception of hot weather has shifted that 27 or 28 degrees for south east England no longer feels particularly warm,’ he explained.
‘In Reading, less than 1 in 10 June days are typically as warm as this since 2001.
‘That’s partly because the likelihood of similar temperatures has approximately doubled since the latter decades of the 20th century.
‘We know there can be significant impacts of hot weather for those who have pre–existing conditions that make them particularly vulnerable, so I would encourage people to pay attention to the UKHSA warnings and take action to prepare themselves and others.’
Temperatures are expected to hit the high–20s ‘quite widely’, with the potential for 32°C to be reached in some parts of the country
According to the Met Office, Brits can expect a ‘marked north–south split’ this weekend, with intense heat forecast across southern and eastern areas, and more changeable conditions in the northwest.
Depending on cloud cover, southern parts of England could hit 30°C today, before temperatures climb over the weekend.
By Monday, the Met Office say there’s the potential for 33°C in some areas.
The Met Office’s Deputy Chief Forecaster, Gregory Wolverson, said: ‘This week’s weather reflects a contrast we often see in summer, with more unsettled conditions passing to the northwest of the UK while heat builds in the south and east.
‘As we move towards the weekend, we’ll see conditions become more widely settled and temperatures rise all round.
‘Many parts of southern and eastern England are likely to see temperatures high enough to meet heatwave thresholds.
‘It’s important to note that while temperatures may be high, we might not all see the wall–to–wall sunshine and blue skies we experienced back in May because there is more cloud around.
‘There is also a chance of thunderstorms developing in places, particularly later each day, which could bring heavy showers and localised impacts.’
Depending on cloud cover, southern parts of England could hit 30°C today, before temperatures climb over the weekend. By Monday, the Met Office say there’s the potential for 33°C in some areas
According to Hannah Cloke, Regius Professor of Meteorology and Climate Science, University of Reading, heatwaves are one of the clearest signs that extreme weather is already changing in a warming climate.
She explained: ‘Hot weather goes from a risk to a hazard because of our dated infrastructure.
‘It is not just the physical infrastructure of buildings, transport networks and water supplies that need updating, but our imagination infrastructure as well.
‘We need to update the stories, warnings and shared understanding of the risks of heat.
‘These all combine to help people picture what these risks really mean for their daily lives, and how we need to adapt at every scale to deal with them.
‘If we cannot imagine how heat might affect our homes, our health or our communities, we are less likely to act until it is too late.
‘Science can show us the futures that are coming, but we need imagination to help us prepare for them and ultimately choose to build something safer.’
A Yellow Heat–Health Alert has been issued by the UKHSA to people in theEast Midlands, East of England, London and the southeast of England.
A Yellow Heat–Health Alert has been issued by the UKHSA to people in theEast Midlands, East of England, London and the southeast of England
While this is classed as low impact, experts warn that the risk is not low for everyone.
Dr Akshay Deoras, from the University of Reading, said: ‘Prolonged warmth can place strain on the body, and repeated days of humid weather can lead to cumulative fatigue, particularly for older adults, young children and those with underlying health conditions.
‘Tropical nights may also develop in some southern and eastern areas of the UK towards the weekend, offering little relief overnight.
‘It is important to recognise early signs of heat–related illness, which include headaches, dizziness, excessive tiredness, muscle cramps, nausea, and confusion.
‘Simple precautions such as staying well hydrated, keeping living spaces cool, and checking in on vulnerable people can make a significant difference.’
