Britons are in for scorching temperatures this Wednesday, with the mercury expected to hit 35C. Weather experts predict that Wednesday will be the hottest day of the week, triggering amber heat health alerts for regions including the East Midlands, East of England, London, and Southeast of England. Yellow heat health alerts are also in place for areas like the South West, West Midlands, and Yorkshire & The Humber during this period.
The Met Office forecasts continued high temperatures throughout the week, potentially meeting the heatwave threshold across most UK regions. Counties like Berkshire, Surrey, and Buckinghamshire are likely to experience the highest temperatures on Wednesday, surpassing Monday’s peak of 28C at Heathrow Airport.
While the heatwave brings sweltering conditions, it also heightens the risk of wildfires, a concern that has plagued the UK and Europe recently. In France, hundreds of thousands have been evacuated due to devastating wildfires, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to describe the situation as the country’s most challenging since World War II. Meanwhile, firefighters have been combating a fierce wildfire in the Cairngorms for over 10 days, with residents instructed to evacuate. Scotland’s temperatures are expected to be milder compared to England and Wales, with showers likely in southern areas and Northern Ireland on Wednesday.
As Thursday approaches, temperatures are forecasted to cool down across most regions, except for the Southeast of England where the heat will persist, with temperatures reaching 29C, meeting the heatwave threshold. Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Gregory Wolverson anticipates a rapid temperature rise, primarily in the southeast, with mid-30C temperatures expected in some areas by Wednesday. Cooler and more unsettled weather conditions are predicted for other regions, with a mix of sunshine and showers, possibly accompanied by heavier showers and isolated thunderstorms in northern areas.
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, and West Sussex are some of the areas that could experience the highest temperatures.