Britain is hotter than Ibiza: Week-long 34C heatwave will bring a rise in deaths, ‘tropical nights’, thunderstorms and wildfires
Britain’s fourth heatwave of summer began today and could last for a week as temperatures of 34C (93F) make the country hotter than Ibiza – as UK health authorities warn of a rise in deaths.
Beaches and parks were packed as central and southern England got above 30C (86F) today because of a combination of high pressure and a southerly airflow.
But a Government amber heat health alert was imposed and forecasters warned of a risk of isolated thunderstorms and infrequent outbreaks of rain during the hot spell.
South coast resorts were particularly busy today, with TomTom roads congestion data giving a peak in Brighton of 47 per cent at 11am, compared to the usual 25 per cent; and in Bournemouth of 36 per cent at 12pm, also well above the normal 25 per cent.
Warm nights are also thought to be likely in South East England with a chance of a ‘tropical night’ tonight, where temperatures do not drop below 20C (68F) overnight.
The UK is additionally on alert for wildfires after a major incident in Dorset where 100 firefighters battled a blaze that ravaged hundreds of acres of land at the weekend.
Crews battling the blaze at Holt Heath near Wimborne captured a rare ‘dust devil’ on camera – a whirlwind of dirt which normally occurs in the desert or other arid areas.
The upward spiralling vortex of air is created where dry ground and high surface temperatures create strong updrafts. It looks like a mini tornado but is not as strong and normally lasts a few minutes before cool air is sucked in and cuts off heat supply.
Other crews tackled a large blaze on Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh yesterday; and a big fire at Newton Heath near Swanage, which has been burning since last Sunday.
Visitors enjoy the hot weather in Brighton today at the start of the fourth heatwave of the year
The beach at the seaside resort of Lyme Regis, Dorset, is packed with holidaymakers today
A woman talks on her phone at Hyde Park in London during the heatwave this afternoon
People enjoy the hot weather on the beach at Weymouth in Dorset this afternoon
Swimmers at Hathersage open-air swimming pool at Hope Valley in the Peak District today
Chloe Taylor with her dog cooling off in a fountain on a sunny day in Birmingham today
People enjoy the hot weather at Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds in North London today
An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three days in a row, with thresholds varying from 25C (77F) to 28C (82F) in different areas.
The Met Office forecast for London, which has a 28C threshold, said temperatures will hit at least that level daily until at least Sunday, with a 33C (92F) peak tomorrow.
This is compared to a temperature of 30C (86F) in Ibiza and 33C (92F) in Palma de Mallorca and Athens tomorrow.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued a amber heat health alert from 9am tomorrow until 6pm on Wednesday, covering the West Midlands, East Midlands, South East and East regions of England.
A separate yellow alert is also in place for the same time period for the North East, North West and South West areas.
Government officials have warned of ‘significant impacts’ across health and social care services due to the high temperatures – including the potential for a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.
The London Fire Brigade warned people against using disposable barbecues and told them to properly dispose of cigarettes and take rubbish home if no bins are available.
A woman enjoys the hot weather as she sits on a chair in St James’s Park in London today
A pelican attempts to take a woman’s belongings at St James’ Park in London today
Dolphins in the North Sea near Whitley Bay in North Tyneside this afternoon
People take selfies with the skyline at Greenwich Park in South East London today
People in the sunshine and hot weather at Hyde Park in London this afternoon
People out on the River Cam in Cambridge taking in the sunshine this morning
Swimmers at Hathersage open-air swimming pool at Hope Valley in the Peak District today
People enjoy the hot weather on the beach at Weymouth in Dorset this afternoon
A man soaks up the sun at St James’s Park in London today during the new heatwave
People enjoy the hot weather at Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds in North London today
A sunbather at St James’s Park in London today as the fourth heatwave of summer begins
A man sunbathes on a bench in Greenwich Park in South East London this morning
Swimmers at Hathersage open-air swimming pool at Hope Valley in the Peak District today
People enjoy the hot weather as they sit on deckhairs at St James’s Park in London today
People sunbathe at Hampstead Heath in North London today during the heatwave
A man walks through Greenwich Park in London today, with Canary Wharf in the background
People enjoy the hot weather at Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds in North London today
Swimmers at Hathersage open-air swimming pool at Hope Valley in the Peak District today
Met Office senior meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: ‘Temperatures are going to rise over the coming days, particularly across England and Wales.
‘But it is not going to be felt quite as much across parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland – it’s not going to be widespread heat everywhere.
‘And the reason for that is we’ve got high pressure to the south east of the UK at the moment and low pressure to the north west and west.
‘But through Monday, we start importing some of that hot and humid air, and we’re looking at highs of around 31C across central and southern England, with the rest of England and Wales getting towards the high 20s, and Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland in the low 20s.
‘The heat may spark one or two heavy showers and thunderstorms across south-west England and Wales, but they’ll be very isolated.
‘And then Tuesday looks largely dry, with plenty of sunny spells – it could well be the peak of the heat.
‘Temperatures are set to rise to about 33C across central and southern England, but again, this could spark off a thunderstorm by the afternoon and evening time.
‘And some places will hit heatwave thresholds on Tuesday, while some places will hit it on Wednesday – it depends on the area.’
The high temperatures on consecutive days would mean the UK hitting its fourth heatwave of the summer.
Looking further ahead, Mr Dewhurst said: ‘Into Wednesday, we just start to see the high pressure edge away a bit.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber and yellow heat health alerts tomorrow
Crews battling a wildfire at Holt Heath near Wimborne in Dorset yesterday captured a rare ‘dust devil’ on camera – a whirlwind of dirt which normally occurs in the desert or other arid areas
Firefighters battled a blaze ravaging hundreds of acres of land in Wimborne, Dorset, yesterday
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service battled a wildfire at Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh yesterday
‘It allows the low pressure to the west to edge in a bit, so with a bit more cloud, temperatures may just be a bit lower, but we could still see it as high as the low 30s.
‘On Thursday, temperatures are set to peak around 29C, again with a bit more cloud around and a few showers, before a drier Friday with sunny spells ahead of the weekend.’
Temperatures are not expected to beat the 35.8C (78.4F) at Faversham in Kent on July 1 during the last heatwave – the UK’s hottest day in three years.
That beat the warmest day of 2024 which was 34.8C (94.6F) in Cambridge on August 12; and the 2023 peak which was 33.5C (92.3F) in Faversham on September 10.
The 2022 high of 40.3C (104.5F) on July 19 in Lincolnshire remains the UK’s highest temperature on record.
Dr Paul Coleman, consultant in public health at the UKHSA, said: ‘Temperatures are forecast to rise above 30C across central and southern parts of the country over the next few days, and generally hot weather is expected across most regions of England.
‘These kind of temperatures can result in serious health outcomes across the population – particularly in those who are vulnerable, such as the elderly or those with serious health conditions – so it is important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.
‘If you have friends, family or neighbours who are vulnerable, it is important to ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice.
‘Check in on them if you can to make sure they know that hot weather is on the way and how to keep themselves safe.’
