Published 1 day ago • loading... • Updated 4 hours ago
Met Office forecasts heatwave next week with temperatures hitting 30C
Forecasters say the new spell is likely to be less intense than June, with heatwave criteria expected by midweek in southern England.
The Met Office forecasts a new heatwave starting this weekend, with temperatures in London expected to climb steadily before reaching around 32C on Monday.
England recorded its warmest June on record last month, shattering the 1976 temperature high of 35.6C when Surrey registered 35.7C. That 'exceptional' event brought school closures and travel disruptions.
The UK Health Security Agency issued a yellow heat health alert for London through July 11, as the Met Office warns a 'long-lasting UK marine heatwave' could reach extreme levels. Officials urge swimmers to exercise caution regarding cold-water shock.
Health officials caution the heatwave could increase healthcare service usage and pose a 'greater risk to life' for vulnerable people. Additionally, 1,000,000 residents face a hosepipe ban next week.
Met Office chief scientist Professor Stephen Belcher noted that human-induced climate change makes such events more intense and frequent. Forecasters expect this spell to be less oppressive than June, though extreme heat is increasingly becoming the 'new normal.