UK weather: Britain braces for intense hot blasts as Met Office predicts 'multiple heatwaves'
PA/Netweather
Wednesday was the hottest day of the year so far, with 30.3C mercury being recorded at London’s Heathrow Airport
Britons who enjoyed the scorching temperatures from the beginning of the week can rejoice, as the Met Office has forecast a "slightly higher than normal chance of heatwaves" next month.
From Monday to Thursday, much of England was covered by a four-day heat health alert issued jointly by the Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Balmy temperatures of between 25C and 29C have been recorded across the UK this week, with the Met Office earlier predicting that there would be “plenty of sunny spells” and “very warm sunshine”.
Wednesday was the hottest day of the year so far, with 30.3C mercury being recorded at London’s Heathrow Airport.
Whilst yesterday saw cooler temperatures return, with bouts of rain in Scotland and northern England, Britons shouldn’t be putting away the sun cream just yet.
In their long-range forecast from July 12 to 26, the Met Office has said that a summer of heatwaves is a possibility.
The weather office said: “As is normal for this time of year, predictability at this range is very low. Current indications suggest that there will likely be a continuation of the trend towards more settled weather through mid-July, with below-average rainfall and temperatures around to slightly above average.
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“Any more significant rainfall would most likely occur in the northwest, with thunderstorms possible elsewhere. There is a slightly higher than normal chance of heatwaves developing during this period.”
Whilst the weather looks to be warmer from mid-July onwards, balmy conditions will be felt as soon as the month begins.
The Met Office long range forecast for July 1 to July 10 says there will be “a good deal of dry, warm, and settled weather”.
The best conditions are expected in the south and east where winds will be lighter.
July 12 looks to be a scorcher
Netweather
“Temperatures will be around average for the time of year, but on sunnier days with lighter winds, it will still feel warm or rather warm,” the Met Office added.
The warm weather will come as a welcome relief for many after Britons have faced a June plagued with downpours and cooler weather.
This year’s spring has been England’s fifth wettest, which saw 32 per cent more rainfall than average.