The hottest day of the year could be recorded for the second day in a row as temperatures are set to rise further today, the Met Office has said.
After a peak of 32.2C (89.9F) was reached on Thursday at Kew Gardens and Heathrow Airport in west London – making it the hottest day of the year so far – a new high of 33C (91.4F) is forecast for Friday.
It comes as an amber heat alert was issued for all regions of England, with the heat health warnings by the UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) remaining in place until 9am on Monday.
The amber alert indicates “significant impacts are likely” across health and social care services, and warns there could be “a rise in deaths” among people with pre-existing health conditions and those aged over 65.
The Met Office said today’s temperatures are expected to reach the low 30s and potentially 33C, while a number of areas are forecast to pass the heatwave criteria by the afternoon.
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A heatwave is officially declared when temperatures exceed a certain level for three days in a row.
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Thresholds vary from 25C to 28C (77F to 82F) across the UK.
Met Office forecaster Dan Stroud said: “We’re expecting the hot and dry conditions to continue, it does turn a little bit hazier in the west during the course of Friday, we’re still expecting temperatures to reach the low 30s, 31C, 32C fairly widely, maybe seeing 33C.”
Although clouds are expected to move in from the west on Saturday, bringing the possibility of thundery showers in North Wales and northwest England, temperatures could rise further.
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Peak on Saturday
Sky News’ weather producer Joanna Robinson said: “Saturday looks to bring the peak of the heat, with large parts of England seeing above 30C.
“Somewhere in eastern England could see 34C (93F). If that occurs, it would be only the 6th time the UK has reached 34C in June since 1961.”
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She went on: “Temperatures won’t be as high further north and west on Saturday, but humidity levels will be higher making it still feel hot and uncomfortable.
“There’ll be little relief at night, with some areas perhaps experiencing a tropical night – where temperatures don’t fall below 20C.
“Sunday will bring cooler and fresher conditions from the west, but south-east England will stay very warm.
“Throughout there’ll be a good deal of fine weather, but there’ll be an increasing chance of thunderstorms this weekend.”
