The current warm weather is expected to continue, with drivers being advised to brace for the busiest summer travel period in four years. Over the past 11 days, UK temperatures have exceeded 30C, and forecasters anticipate this hot spell to persist for another seven to 10 days. The RAC estimates that 14.1 million motorists will set out on holiday or day trips between Friday and Sunday, marking the second-highest number since tracking began in 2016.
As schools in England and Wales prepare to start their summer break, and with the academic year already concluded in Scotland and Northern Ireland, a surge in travel is anticipated. The RAC forecasts that Saturday will be the peak day for travel, with 3.8 million journeys planned. Additionally, an estimated 3.4 million trips are expected on both Friday and Sunday, with a further 6.8 million trips spread across the weekend.
According to the Met Office, the settled weather is likely to persist for the next week, offering sunny and dry conditions. While some isolated showers and a slight temperature drop may occur, it remains uncertain if the heatwave conditions will extend beyond the coming days. The Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist, David Hayter, mentioned that the heatwave may ease slightly due to a change in weather patterns, but some areas could still experience high temperatures by the end of the week.
The continuation of the current heatwave hinges on whether London experiences three consecutive days above 28C or 25C for the rest of the country. With above-average temperatures and warm nights prevailing, England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have all seen temperatures surpassing their seasonal norms. England and Wales are notably warmer, with Scotland and Northern Ireland also running above their usual averages.
Britons have been enduring a summer characterized by higher-than-average temperatures, and the Met Office will closely monitor temperature trends to determine the longevity of the ongoing heatwave.
