UK could see hottest day of year this week as temperatures rocket to 32C

The highest temperatures are anticipated in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and the Bristol Channel on Tuesday

Eleanor Noyce,Namita Singh
Monday 04 September 2023 04:41 BST
Comments
UK weather: The latest Met Office forecast

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The UK could see the hottest day of the year this week as temperatures are set to rocket to 32C.

Forecasters are predicting a final “dose of summer” with the mercury expected to rise to 30C on Tuesday, with the highest temperatures expected in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and the Bristol Channel.

But parts of the country are set to swelter further on Wednesday and Thursday with highs of 32C in Berkshire and southern areas of the Midlands.

Forecasters are predicting a final “dose of summer” as the mercury is set to reach 30C
Forecasters are predicting a final “dose of summer” as the mercury is set to reach 30C (PA)

Southern England and Wales are predicted to reach 29C on Monday and 28C, however, Scotland and Northern Ireland’s averages will remain slightly chillier at 25C and 23C respectively.

The mid-week highs could see the record for the hottest day of the year broken after Coningsby in Lincolnshire experienced the joint hottest day of the year on 25 June, at a scorching 32.2C - matching an earlier record set on 10 June in Chertsey in Surrey.

Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey described the predictions as a “late dose of summer”, but urged that “not everyone might be able to make the most of it with school activities” as pupils return to classrooms this week.

Mr Vautrey also warned of the health risks of hot weather to the vulnerable, stressing that the temperatures will be 10C above the average for September. He urged people to stay hydrated and use sunscreen, with UV levels being moderate to high.

"It does bring health risks to people who are vulnerable," he added.

The September sunshine marks a welcome break from a disappointing few months, as July marked the UK’s sixth wettest on record and the wettest in Northern Ireland’s history. The UK averaged 140.1mm of rain across the month.

Areas in England also set new rainfall records, including Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside, which all experienced their wettest July since records began in 1836.

Met Office UK 5-day weather forecast:

Sunday evening: Remaining breezy with patchy light rain in the far north. Elsewhere it will stay dry and settled. There will be clear periods, with areas of low cloud and fog reforming.

Monday: Cloudy with patchy rain in the far north. Otherwise a fine day with early low clouds and fog clearing to leave plenty of very warm or hot sunshine.

Tuesday-Thursday: Mostly dry with very warm or hot sunshine. However, patches of low cloud and fog overnight. Some drizzle in the far north, and showers are possible later, mainly in the west.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in