Summer could be the hottest on record with Brits set to bake in 86F heat TODAY as forecasters warn we now face ‘historic, even unprecedented’ heat dome
- This summer could be the hottest on record due to an ‘unprecedented’ heat dome developing over Europe
- Early models suggest that a mass of stagnant hot air may remain over the continent, creating long heatwave
- It could last through July and August, with ‘tropical nights’ offering no respite from the high temperatures
Summer could be the hottest on record with Brits set to bake in 86F (30C) heat today, as forecasters warn we now face ‘historic, even unprecedented’ heat dome.
Meteorologists have warned that sweltering temperatures could become locked over Europe throughout July and August, creating a ‘brutal’ summer.
Early models are suggesting the development of a heat dome — a mass of stagnant hot air — over Europe, creating a long heatwave.
The Met Office has warned that temperatures could reach 104F (40C) on Sunday or Monday, which would beat the 101.66F (38.7C) record from July 2019.
Sunday and Monday’s nighttime temperatures could also break records, exceeding 75.F (23.9C) in August 1990.
Meteorologists have warned that sweltering temperatures could become locked over Europe throughout July and August, creating a ‘brutal’ summer. Pictured, temperatures rose above 30C on the Central Line in London on Monday
Early models are suggesting the development of a heat dome — a mass of stagnant hot air — over Europe, creating a long heatwave. Pictured, a field of crops in Ripon burns in the heat
‘Tropical nights’ can create a ‘very high risk’ to elderly people and those with underlying health conditions, as they provide no time to recover from the daytime heat.
Forecasters have also warned that the high temperatures could bring flash flooding and severe thunderstorms, with torrents of water filling cities in the same way that London did last year.
A heat dome will ‘undoubtedly will be historic and possibly on the scale of summer 2003’, Met Office senior meteorologist Paul Davies told the i.
That year, 70,000 people died in Europe during a heatwave, with 2,000 dying in the UK,
‘The latest heatwave may not be the last, there is every chance that a further plume or plumes will come north on the western side of Continental European heat dome,’ Dr Davies added.
It comes as Britons are being warned of widespread disruption as temperatures look set to reach a dangerously high peak in the coming days.
An ‘amber’ extreme heat warning covering much of England and Wales on Sunday and Monday says there could be a danger to life or potential serious illness, with adverse health effects not just limited to the most vulnerable.
An ongoing heatwave could throw the country into a drought.
Brits have been urged by Water regulator Ofwat to cut their showers down to five minutes and only use washing machines and dishwashers when they are fully-loaded, in a bid to save water.
There could also be road closures, and delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, while ambulance services in England are on the highest level of alert as difficulties with the hot weather combine with Covid absences among staff and ongoing delays handing patients over to A&E.
Low water levels are seen at Llwyn Onn Reservoir in South Wales yesterday morning as the UK endures a heatwave
Today, Thursday, and Friday are likely to bring some rain in the north of the UK and highs of 80.6F (27C) or 82.4F (28C) — slightly cooler than yesterday which saw 31C in parts of south-east England.
But temperatures are expected to soar again into the mid 30s through the weekend before peaking on Monday, with south-eastern areas of the UK seeing them climb in excess of 95F (35C), and locally into the high 30s.
Forecaster Matthew Box said: ‘As we get into Sunday it looks like we could see temperatures rise into the high 20s and into the low 30s as well but potentially a few spots getting 34C or 35C by Sunday and probably the same again on Monday.
‘We could see by Monday temperatures getting towards the mid or high 30s and there’s about a 30% chance we could see the UK record broken, most likely on Monday at the moment.’
High temperatures may also last into Tuesday.
‘It’s looking like things are going to become hot or very hot as we go through the weekend and into next week,’ Mr Box added.
He explained the heatwave is a result of hot air flowing to the UK from the continent.
Brits have been urged by Water regulator Ofwat to cut their showers down to five minutes and only use washing machines and dishwashers when they are fully-loaded, in a bid to save water. Pictured, cracked earth during the Carew River’s low tide in Pembrokeshire
He said: ‘What happens as we get into the weekend, the high pressure becomes centred to the east of the UK and that allow a southerly flow of air to drag up, the very warm air that’s over France at the moment, and drag it northwards to the UK over the weekend, perhaps more so on Sunday and into Monday.’
Heatwaves have been made hotter, longer and more frequent by climate change, and experts have warned of the need to adapt homes and cities in the UK for a future of more intense summer heat.
Network Rail is preparing to introduce speed restrictions to reduce the likelihood of tracks buckling as the heatwave continues, which will cause delays to passenger journeys and disrupt freight services.
London Ambulance Service urged the public to support it as the heat continues by only calling 999 in the event of a life-threatening emergency, keeping hydrated and staying out of the sun during the hottest periods of the day.
The Royal Life Saving Society UK warned people about the dangers of trying to cool off in lakes, quarries, rivers and other waterways in the extremely hot weather.
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