Temperatures are set to soar to 34C on Monday, with the Met Office warning that there is a 40 per cent chance of exceeding the highest-ever temperature for June
An amber extreme heat warning has been issued as temperatures are set to hit 34C on Monday, the Met Office has said.
The hot spell will come after a warm weekend during which the heatwave threshold is expected to be met in parts of southern and eastern England. Temperatures on Saturday are set to reach 28C in parts of the south and south-east before climbing to 32C on Sunday.
Temperatures are set to soar to 34C on Monday, with Tuesday similarly seeing temperatures in the mid-30s. A Met Office amber extreme heat warning covering London, the east and south-east of England, and parts of the south-west of England and Wales is in place on both days.
There is a 40 per cent chance of exceeding the highest-ever temperature for June – 35.6C set in 1957 and 1976 – the Met Office said.
Some areas may see temperatures remain above 20C overnight on Monday and Tuesday, particularly in urban locations.
Amber heat health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are in force for the east, south-east and south-west of England, as well as London, until 8pm on Tuesday.
Greg Wolverson, deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: “While heatwave criteria will be met for some in the south and south-east of England over the weekend, with temperatures into the low 30s possible, the warmth will expand and intensify at the start of next week, which, coupled with high temperatures overnight, leads to potential impacts.
“Temperatures will peak around the mid-30s on Monday and Tuesday. The humidity will also mean this feels close, warmer and more uncomfortable for many. Tropical nights – where the temperature doesn’t drop below 20C – are also likely for some.”
The hot spell may also bring some thundery downpours on Monday and Tuesday, though these should be “fairly isolated”, the Met Office said.
It comes after the Met Office’s latest three-month summer outlook for June to August said the chance of a hot summer is higher than normal and warned of an “increased chance of heatwave conditions developing at times”.
England and Wales experienced their warmest spring on record and the UK recorded its hottest May temperature to date – 35.1C at Kew Gardens in London. At least 15 people died after getting into trouble in open water during the hot spell.
Samantha Hughes, national water safety partner at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, said: “With warmer weather approaching, it’s important to remember that the water is still cold. Entering it unexpectedly can lead to cold water shock, causing a sudden increase in breathing and heart rate, which may trigger panic.”
A climate attribution study published last summer by Met Office scientists found that the likelihood of surpassing the May temperature record has increased significantly due to the climate crisis.
The study found that breaking the previous May temperature record was around three times more likely in today’s climate than it would have been in a natural climate unaffected by greenhouse gas emissions. What was once considered roughly a one-in-100-year event is now estimated to occur roughly once every 33 years.
