The UK is bracing for what could be the hottest day of the year, with temperatures expected to soar up to 34°C on Monday, especially in London and other parts of central and eastern England, according to latest weather reports. The Met Office has issued heatwave alerts across the country, as well as warnings for severe thunderstorms in northern regions.
Forecaster Craig Snell from the Met Office commented on the conditions, said, “It’s going to be hot. The weather is coming with a lot of humidity, so it will feel quite uncomfortable out there across central eastern England.”
The UK’s Health Security Agency has put a yellow heat health alert in place until Wednesday morning for regions including London, the South East, East of England, and the Midlands. This alert warns that the heat could have a minor impact on health, particularly for vulnerable populations.
In contrast to the scorching heat in the south, northern parts of the UK, including Northern England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, are facing a different challenge. These areas are under two separate yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms, with heavy rain, lightning, hail, and strong winds expected. Over 5,000 lightning strikes were recorded in the last 24 hours as storms swept through these regions.
Sky meteorologist Chris England highlighted the stark contrast between north and south, saying, “The north will be a different story, with heavy, sometimes torrential and thundery rain moving through, with a risk of hail and lightning.”
Despite the intense heat, Monday’s temperatures are not expected to surpass the UK’s all-time high of 40.3°C recorded in July 2022. The Met Office noted that the current conditions do not qualify as an official heatwave, which requires temperatures to exceed specific thresholds over three consecutive days.
As temperatures are set to ease off by mid-week, the Met Office advises the public to stay hydrated and keep curtains closed during the hottest parts of the day to stay cool. Meanwhile, those in storm-affected areas are being urged to exercise caution, particularly on the roads during the early morning rush hour, when hazardous conditions are expected.
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