UK braces for hottest day of the year so far - as weather warnings issued by Met Office for thunderstorms

12 August 2024, 08:53 | Updated: 12 August 2024, 09:11

Heat health alerts are in place on what could be the hottest day of the year so far
Heat health alerts are in place on what could be the hottest day of the year so far. Picture: Alamy

By Flaminia Luck

Get the sunglasses out! Temperatures could soar to as high as 35C in some parts of the UK today making it the hottest day of the year so far.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

A surge of warm air sweeping in from Europe caused temperatures to rise significantly across much of the country on Sunday.

The Met Office has forecast that this heatwave could intensify further, with temperatures expected to peak between 34°C and 35°C on Monday.

According to Craig Snell, a forecaster at the Met Office, "It's going to be hot."

He explained that the weather will also bring a great deal of humidity, particularly to central eastern England, making conditions feel especially uncomfortable.

"Elsewhere," Snell noted, "it's still going to be warm and humid, but the hottest weather will be concentrated in central eastern England.

"Despite the soaring temperatures in many areas, the Met Office has also issued two yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms, which are expected to affect parts of northern England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

These warnings highlight the potential for sudden changes in weather conditions, even as other parts of the country continue to experience sweltering heat.

In terms of specific regions, London, East Anglia, and the Home Counties are expected to bear the brunt of the heatwave, with temperatures anticipated to reach as high as 33°C in London.

Meanwhile, other major cities like Manchester and Edinburgh will experience comparatively cooler, yet still warm, conditions, with highs of 26°C in Manchester and 21°C in Edinburgh.

The contrast between the heat in the southeast and the more moderate temperatures elsewhere underscores the variability of this weather system across the UK.

The hottest day of 2024 so far was 19 July, when temperatures reached a 31.9C in central London.

People enjoy the sunshine and the water on the Margate Beach
People enjoying the sunshine at Margate Beach, Kent. Picture: Getty

The UK Health Security Agency has said a yellow heat health alert is in place for the East and West Midlands, East of England, South East, West, North West and London until Wednesday morning.

The alert suggests the hot weather may have a minor impact on health and the social care sector.

The Met Office also recommended people keep curtains shut during the hottest part of the day and drink plenty of water.

Read more: Amanda Abbington 'hands bombshell texts' to Strictly probe with fresh revelations about Giovanni Pernice's behaviour

Read more: Doctor had warned Nottingham attacker could 'end up killing someone' years before fatal stabbings

Thunderstorms are expected across northern parts of the UK
Thunderstorms are expected across northern parts of the UK. Picture: MetOffice

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

File photo dated 12/02/25 of Health Secretary Wes Streeting, he has said sending crack teams of top doctors to hospital trusts in areas with high levels of people who do not have jobs is cutting waiting lists, Wes Streeting has said.

Streeting hits out at those ‘manufacturing rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm Government U-turn on disability benefits

Alice da Silva Aguiar was one of the three children killed.

Commemorative playground to be built in primary school in honour of Southport victims

Foreign Office staff enjoyed the Nassau Yacht Club in Barbados, in January 2023, spending £920.

Civil servants splurge on Barbados yacht club trip with taxpayer-backed credit card

Met Police sued after reinstating 999 call handler who mock Sarah Everard and called rape victim a ‘slut’

Met Police sued after reinstating 999 call handler who 'mocked Sarah Everard' and called rape victim a ‘slut’

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

FILE - Britain's Prince Harry leaves after attending an Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral in London, Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Bombshell US court ruling orders Prince Harry's visa application files be made public by Tuesday

This image made from video by NASA shows astronauts waving after the SpaceX capsule docked with the International Space Station, Sunday, March 16, 2025. Top row from left: Nick Hague, Alexander Gorbunov, Suni Williams, Alexei Ovchinin.

Over the moon: SpaceX capsule docks with ISS as stranded NASA astronauts welcome replacement crew

F1 Grand Prix Of Australia

Lando Norris wins a wet Australian Grand Prix despite last minute charge from Max Verstappen

Disabled people to be given right to try working without risk of losing benefits in welfare reforms.

Disabled people to be given 'right to try' work without risk of losing benefits

Britain's Prince William, Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), and Kate, the Princess of Wales, Patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), pose for a photo with Leif Thobroe

Royal split: William and Kate cheer on rival sides at Wales take on England in Six Nations clash

Wes Streeting MP - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care - in Downing Street 12th March 2025 - the day before NHS England was abolished.

Scrapping NHS England is ‘beginning, not the end’ says Streeting, vowing to cut hundreds of quangos

A view of the pollution caused by garbage and various wastes following the thousands of Palestinians displaced under the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel have returned to the northern Gaza Strip in Jabalia, Gaza on March 13, 2025.

US rejects Hamas’s ‘entirely impractical’ demands to implement ceasefire as talks reach impasse

Antoine Dupont and Gregory Alldritt of France lift the Six Nations Trophy after their team's victory during the Guinness Six Nations 2025 match between France and Scotland at Stade de France

France win Six Nations after beating Scotland, shattering England title hopes

The US has launched large strikes in Yemen as Donald Trump promised "overwhelming lethal force" until the Houthis cease attacks on shipping.

US launches strikes on Yemen as Trump promises 'overwhelming lethal force' against Houthis

Rich people are getting married at a way higher rate than those with lower incomes as the ‘marriage gap’ between rich and poor hits a record 51%.

'Only rich people are getting married', new research suggests, as ‘marriage gap’ widens

"I ran, not to rip the joey away from its mother, but from fear she might attack me," Jones, who also uses the name Samantha Strable, posted on social media.

American influencer apologises after being threatened with deportation for snatching baby wombat from mum