The UK is set for another scorching week as temperatures across the nation show no sign of settling down. Temperatures in Wales peaked at 27.9C in Usk on Sunday and they are set to rise even higher on Monday.
The UK's record high for 2022 currently stands at 32.7C, recorded at Heathrow on June 17. The current highest in Wales was 28.4°C in Cardiff Bute Park on that day. But the Met Office predict this could easily be beaten this week with temperatures likely to reach the mid-30s, and some modelling even suggesting extreme heights of 43C.
The UK is already currently hotter than some of the world's top beach destinations, including areas in Jamaica, the Maldives and the Bahamas, with the warm weather set to last until the weekend.
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And the weather is expected to get so hot in some places that a Level Three Heat Health Alert has been issued for the week, highlighting the potential health impacts of these types of temperatures.
Becky Mitchell, a forecaster for the Met Office told The Mirror: "It is quite unprecedented. The most likely outcome is we'll see temperatures in the mid-30s. There's a 30% probability we will get heat in the high 30s, which would break the UK's hottest temperature on record.
"Temperatures are likely to peak towards end of next week. There's lots different model outputs one or two are showing extreme temperatures like 43C. However, we are very unlikely to see 43C."
Ms Mitchell anticipated scorching weather across England and Wales this week, particularly into the weekend. Sunday. She said: "We are drawing up some hot air from Spain and France. That's the reason we could see these high temperatures.
"Many areas will reach 32C (next Sunday), while some will get to 35C. There's a small chance temperatures could go into the high 30s and a very small chance of 40C."
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: “We want everyone to enjoy the hot weather when it arrives, but also to check in on their vulnerable family, friends and neighbours to make sure they are prepared for the warm conditions ahead.
“High temperatures are predicted for a prolonged period, so make sure to follow our simple health advice to beat the heat, such as covering windows exposed to direct sunlight and making sure that fridges, freezers and fans are working properly.”
The Met Office forecast across the UK this week
Today:
Many areas will be dry, sunny and hot with just light breezes and patchy high cloud. However, it will be cloudier and windier in the far north and northwest with the risk of a shower later.
Tonight:
Fine, dry and oppressive across much of England and Wales, but cloud thickening across Scotland and Northern Ireland with some rain. Windy in the northwest.
Tuesday:
Further hot weather for southern areas, but generally more cloud than on Monday. Some rain across northern and central areas, but mostly only small amounts.
Further ahead:
The warm spell will continue for southern and central areas into next week, with only a slight dip in peak temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday before a possible move back to very high temperatures at the end of next week and over the following weekend.
The Met Office long-range forecast is showing that there could be "cooler and more widely unsettled conditions" returning to the UK towards the end of July.
But the UK forecast for Monday, July 25, to Monday, August 8, says: "After a spell of more changeable conditions for many areas, high pressure will likely bring more settled weather again to the south and southwest. This may extend more widely across the UK, bringing generally fine weather for most, however, the northwest will continue to see the majority of any cloud and rain.
"Temperatures will likely be above average for most, especially in the south, with the potential for it to be hot across England and Wales. However, temperatures perhaps returning close to normal again for most by the end of this period, except in the south where it may remain warm or very warm."
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