UK weather: Brits to swelter in glorious 31C heat as FOUR health alerts come into force today – see exact locations
BRITS are set to soak in glorious 31C rays in parts of the UK this week – and health officials have placed heat alerts to remind them to take care.
Four alerts have been scattered in certain locations from today, as temperatures are expected to soar tomorrow.
The Met Office says there’s a chance the mercury will hit 31C in London on Friday, with the likes of Norwich, Birmingham and Hull expected to enjoy temperatures just a couple of degrees lower.
But, in a reminder to Brits to still take care in the summer conditions, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has placed yellow heat alerts in four locations.
East Midlands, East England, London and the South East have been warned to take from today at 5pm – with the alert in place until 11pm on Saturday.
Its warning says the heat could impact vulnerable people as they could become increasingly warm while inside, and there were chances the need for healthcare services could rise.
The Met Office said the temperatures would start soaring to a high of 28C today.
Forecasters said that tomorrow would be warmer though – to the delight of Brits.
Meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said: “In the peak of the heat we could see 28C on Thursday, that’s probably the highest temperature we’ll see on Thursday, but widely across England and Wales will be in the mi- 20s, 25C is quite likely even across southern areas of Wales.
A map showed London was expected to hit 28C.
Giving tomorrow’s forecast, Annie said: “Apart from the fact that we will start to see that heat build even further with strong sunshine expected widely across England and Wales – very high UV levels as well.”
She said there was a chance rain would fall in the north and west, but much of the country.
The meteorologist continued: “A little bit warmer extending further north across northeastern areas of eastern Scotland still staying largely dry and seeing temperatures into the low 20s as well but it will be all that bit breezier.”
She said there was a chance of “30C, potentially 31C is possible for the greater London area”.
Annie added: “Quite widely will be in those high 20s across many central and south eastern areas of England as well.”
A map showed that Norwich and Birmingham would likely hit 28C, Hull 27C, Southampton 26C and Manchester 25C.
The Met Office added: “High pressure in the east draws up warmer air form the continent over the next few days.
“Temperatures will peak at around 30 Celsius in parts of the southeast by Friday.
“A frontal system pushes the warm air away through Sunday where temperatures will fall towards the low 20s.”
The warmer weather isn’t going to last long though, Met Office’s Annie said.
She said: “The heat will build, peaking on Friday before a weather front sweeps across country – introducing that fresher by Sunday.”
Temperatures will peak at around 30 Celsius in parts of the southeast by Friday.
Met Office
It comes just days after the Met Office issued flood warnings.
On Monday, three warnings were issued as Brits were drenched by thundery downpours in a bad omen – as per St Swithin’s Day folklore.
Meanwhile, parts of the country have already well-exceeded July’s average rainfall figures despite only being halfway through the month.
The Met Office spokesperson said England had 97% of July’s average rainfall between July 1 and 15, Wales had 65%, Scotland 49% and Northern Ireland 47%.
London has had 154% of its July average already and Dorset 120%.
Edinburgh has only had 40% and Dundee 33%.
Ms Maxey said: “There are quite big regional differences but overall it’s looking like a wet month so far.
“There is a caveat that, with a dry couple of weeks, by the end of the month things could even themselves out.”
She said that two or three heavy downpours often caused much of a location’s July rainfall totals, rather than a prolonged period of wet weather.
Met Office's latest forecast
Today:
Outbreaks of rain across Northern Ireland and western Scotland will gradually turn lighter and patchier through the day. Winds also easing here. Largely dry with light winds and sunny spells elsewhere, feeling very warm in the sunshine.
Tonight:
A warm and rather muggy night away from the northwest. Rain in the northwest mostly easing, but remaining cloudy. Dry with clear spells elsewhere.
Friday:
Cloudy in the northwest, but sunny spells gradually developing, temperatures near average. Elsewhere, sunny spells and very warm or hot in the sunshine with light winds.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
An increasing risk of rain or heavy showers on Saturday, remaining rather humid. Drier, brighter and fresher on Sunday. Blustery with rain or showers on Monday, and feeling cooler.
Monday July 22-Wednesday July 31:
Rain spreading across many parts of the UK during Monday, heaviest and most persistent in the north, with amounts in the south probably quite small. A longer-lived a more widespread spell of dry and sunny weather may develop for a time during the middle part of next week, otherwise conditions overall will be changeable and similar to patterns that have dominated July so far. Showers and occasional spells of more persistent rain are likely to affect all regions at times. However, some drier and brighter interludes are also expected. The most frequent spells of wet weather are most likely to be across northern and western areas. Temperatures mostly close to average for a time, with any warmer spells generally short-lived.
Thursday August 1-Thursday August 15:
Through this period, there remains a slightly increased chance of more settled spells of weather developing at times, particularly in the south. However, there is still a substantial chance of other weather types too, with more changeable periods also likely. Through the period as a whole, drier than average conditions are more likely than wetter than average. Warmer than average conditions are also weakly favoured overall, with a slightly enhanced likelihood of short-lived hot spells.