August 8th 2024.
It's time to clear your calendars, folks, because it looks like we may have another beach day in store. Parts of the UK are bracing for what could potentially be the hottest weekend of the year, with temperatures soaring above 30°C. Reports are even suggesting that London and the South East may see temperatures as high as a sweltering 35°C. The Met Office, while being a bit more conservative in their predictions, still anticipates that the mercury will reach the low thirties, bringing us back to the scorching temperatures we experienced during July's mini-heatwave, or possibly even hotter.
The sudden change in weather is due to a shift in the jet stream, combined with a surge of hot air from southern parts of Europe. According to the Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, Dan Suri, this shift is being caused by Tropical Storm Debby in North America, which is causing the jet stream to meander over the Atlantic. As a result, this hot air will be making its way towards the UK towards the end of the weekend and into next week. Temperatures are expected to reach the low 30s in some areas, particularly in the southern and southeastern regions. However, there is also a possibility of heavy showers or thunderstorms in the more northern and western parts of the country.
But it's not just the daytime temperatures that will be soaring. Sunday night into Monday is expected to bring a very warm night, adding to the already sizzling conditions. This is a welcome change from the lackluster summer we've experienced so far, with July being cooler than the average in recent years, despite other European countries being hit with a sweltering heatwave. In fact, there's even a chance of a hot spell for some areas early next week, as discussed by Nick and Alex in yesterday's Deep Dive video.
The weather forecast for Monday shows that England and Wales will be seeing widespread warm temperatures. In the latest London news, there have been reports of far-right thugs looting from a Sainsbury's while chanting "England," and a map has been released highlighting the areas where riots have broken out across the UK. Additionally, there is a "do not approach" warning for a man connected to the murder of a London bus driver. For more updates on what's happening in the capital, be sure to visit The Agency's London news hub.
While the hot weather may be on its way, it's not time to ditch your raincoat just yet. Forecasters are cautioning that there are still a few unsettled days ahead, with low pressure systems in charge. This week will see some rain moving in from the west on Thursday, followed by fine weather on Friday. However, Saturday may bring a more mixed picture as conditions start to feel more humid.
But don't get too excited about the hot weather, as it may not last long. The warm air mass bringing the heat will also bring the potential for heavy rain, possibly as early as Monday. The reason behind this sudden blast of heat is the jet stream, which is expected to reach speeds of 140 knots and shift orientation, causing the warmer air to descend over the south of the UK. This will create a larger area for hot or even extremely hot conditions to develop, particularly in the southeastern part of the country. This weather pattern is expected to continue throughout the weekend and into the early part of next week, according to the Met Office.
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