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

MPs have been urged to support moves to ban smacking and other forms of physical punishment against children in England.

Ministers urged to back law change which will see smacking children to punish them banned

Polling station at Deptford Park School.

Russian networks tried to disrupt UK election but did not cause ‘notable’ impact, security minister says

IKEA store in Vilnius, Lithuania

Russian spies accused of firebombing Ikea store ‘because colours are the same as the Ukraine flag’

Facial recognition will be used to help passengers skip passport queues at ports.

British travellers arriving back in UK could 'avoid passport queues' with new facial recognition technology

The White House said Trump is ‘determined’ to get a peace deal in Ukraine over the line, as the US president gears up for talks for Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.

‘We’ve never been closer to a peace deal’ in Ukraine, says White House ahead of Trump-Putin talks

A prison officer walks down the C wing at Wandsworth prison.

Number of prisoners reaches six-month high, despite thousands being released early to ease overcrowding

Richard Burrows, 80, was found guilty of 54 offences at Chester Crown Court on Monday, including indecent assault of boys, buggery, attempted buggery and indecency with a child.

Paedophile scout leader who spent 27 years on the run found guilty of dozens child sex abuse crimes

‘Iran will suffer the consequences’ - Trump raises prospect of war with Iran as Us attacks on Houthis continue

‘Iran will suffer the consequences’ - Trump raises prospect of war with Iran as US attacks on Houthis continue

Owen Cooper (l) and Stephen Graham (r) star in Adolescence

Revealed: Secret behind incredible camera shot in Netflix's new 'masterpiece' Adolescence

Drag star The Vivienne died after taking ketamine, their family said today

Drag star The Vivienne died from cardiac arrest caused by taking ketamine, family say

Irish professional mixed martial artist and businessman Conor McGregor visited the White House on Monday.

‘He doesn’t reflect the spirit of St Patrick’s Day’: Row erupts after Conor McGregor appears in The White House

`

Man who shouted 'Die, die, die' while stabbing man in quiet street in broad daylight sentenced to life

Harry Purcell, 17, Matilda 'Tilly' Seccombe, 16, and Frank Wormald, 16 died in the crash

Teen driver who killed three friends, aged 16 and 17, in crash on way home from school faces years in prison

Princess Kate enjoyed a Guinness as she joined soldiers in the cookhouse

Princess of Ales! Kate buys a round for the Irish Guards at St Patrick’s Day parade

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference in the Downing Street Briefing Room after hosting virtual meeting with international leaders to discuss support for Ukraine.

Trump to speak with Putin tomorrow as Starmer says 30 countries will sign up to peacekeeping plan

Yvette Cooper argued against the decision but it was upheld

Albanian criminal 'avoids deportation because video calls would be ‘harsh’ on stepson'