Preparing for another scorching spell in the UK, potential for unprecedented heat levels in Wales
UK Heatwave Continues: England and Wales Bask in Hazy Sunshine, While Scotland Faces Cloudy Weather
England and Wales are set to experience a heatwave this week, with high-level cloud making the sunshine hazy at times. The current heatwave is caused by the interaction of a low pressure system to the west and high pressure to the east, resulting in a feed of hot continental air, particularly in the south of the country.
Fire services have already had to respond to blazes in the hot and dry conditions. On Saturday, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident as around 100 firefighters battled a fire near Wimborne. Kent Fire and Rescue Service also tackled a grass fire, although the cause is still unclear.
Mainland Europe is also bracing for high temperatures, with Spain, Portugal, and France potentially reaching temperatures above 40C (104F).
The UK heatwave criteria require that daily maximum temperatures exceed specific regional thresholds for three consecutive days. For London and the southeast of England, the threshold is 28°C, while parts of the Midlands require 27°C, and across much of Wales, northern England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, the threshold is 25°C.
Much of southern and central England, especially London and the southeast, has been forecast to reach these thresholds starting in early to mid-August. The fourth heatwave of the summer was expected to begin around Monday, August 11, with temperatures rising into the low to mid-30s Celsius (around 33–35°C) in central and southern England, peaking Tuesday or Wednesday (August 12-13). By Wednesday, August 13, many parts of southern and central England were likely to have met the heatwave criteria. Some parts of eastern Scotland could also reach heatwave thresholds later in the week.
Warm nights with temperatures not falling below 20°C (sometimes called "tropical nights") were expected early in the week, particularly in southeastern areas.
However, there will be a North-South split in the weather on Monday, with Scotland, Northern Ireland, and parts of northern England experiencing cloudy weather and rain, while England and Wales will have mostly sunny skies.
Warning of potential wildfires remains as warmer weather persists in England and Wales, where the ongoing heatwave continues to create dry conditions. Despite Scotland facing cloudy weather and rain, the risk of wildfires remains high in southern and central England due to the continued heatwave.
