A potentially record-breaking heatwave is expected to hit the UK this week, with temperatures possibly soaring to 42C according to weather forecasting maps. The current highest recorded temperature in the UK stands at 40.3C, set during the scorching July 2022 heatwave. However, the current heatwave gripping various parts of the country could push temperatures nearly 2C higher than that.
The Met Office has issued rare amber and red weather warnings across England and Wales, forecasting temperatures as high as 40C on Wednesday and Thursday. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also issued red heat health alerts for England, cautioning about severe impacts on the population due to the intense heat.
The UKV weather model predicts temperatures reaching 40C in the south-west of England on Wednesday, with high 30s temperatures expected across southern, central, and eastern England. Thursday could be even hotter, with the possibility of hitting 42C in the north-west, eastern England, South Yorkshire, and Nottinghamshire.
The data indicates that temperatures of 40C or higher could be widespread in central England, some northern areas, and the south-west, with around 24 counties potentially hitting the 40C mark. The Met Office warns of extremely humid conditions accompanying the heatwave, with dew points forecasted to reach around 22C.
Expectations include widespread “Tropical Nights” where temperatures in southern England may not dip below 20C overnight, especially in urban areas. Daytime temperatures are anticipated to peak at 37C, possibly reaching 40C on Wednesday and Thursday.
Mark Sidaway, Deputy Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, highlighted the severity of the situation, stating that the heatwave could lead to significant health impacts due to the combination of high temperatures and humidity. The last time such high temperatures were recorded in the UK was during July 2022, but this time, the humidity levels are expected to be notably high, making it challenging for people to recover from the heat stress.
