An alert for extreme heat in the amber category has been issued due to an expected temperature surge to 34C on Monday, according to the Met Office. The upcoming hot spell follows a warm weekend where parts of southern and eastern England are anticipated to meet the heatwave threshold. Saturday will see temperatures reaching 28C in certain southern and south-eastern areas, escalating to 32C on Sunday.
Monday is set to witness temperatures soaring to 34C, with Tuesday also projected to remain in the mid-30s. An amber extreme heat warning from the Met Office covers London, the east, south-east of England, and parts of the south-west of England and Wales for both days.
The Met Office predicts a 40% chance of surpassing the highest-ever June temperature of 35.6C recorded in 1957 and 1976. Some regions might experience temperatures remaining above 20C during Monday and Tuesday nights, especially in urban settings.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber heat health alerts for the east, south-east, and south-west of England, including London, until 8pm on Tuesday. Greg Wolverson, the Met Office’s deputy chief forecaster, mentioned potential impacts due to the expanding heat and intensifying warmth at the beginning of next week.
The humidity will make the temperatures feel even higher and more uncomfortable for many, with tropical nights, where temperatures do not drop below 20C, likely in some areas. While the hot spell may bring isolated thundery downpours on Monday and Tuesday, they are expected to be limited.
The Met Office’s three-month summer outlook from June to August indicates a higher chance of a hot summer than usual, with possible heatwave conditions. England and Wales recently experienced their warmest spring on record, with the UK setting its hottest May temperature at 35.1C in London’s Kew Gardens.
Samantha Hughes from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution emphasized the importance of being cautious around cold water during warmer weather to avoid cold water shock. A climate attribution study by Met Office scientists revealed the increased likelihood of surpassing temperature records due to the climate crisis.
