London weekend weather verdicts from BBC and Met Office amid second heatwave

It’s going to be another scorcher this weekend

It’s set to be another hot weekend with both The Met Office and BBC forecasters predicting a rise in the mercury. The Met Office predicts highs of 27C on Saturday (July 3) and 29C on Sunday (July 4), while the BBC suggests it will be 28C on both days.

It comes as we’re due yet another heatwave with temperatures set to be in the high 20s until mid July, says the BBC. WX Charts has also thrown its hate in the ring with even hotter predictions, however, with Thursday, July 16, forecast at 31C.

We previously spoke to Jim Dales of the British Weather Services about the implications of such regular scorching temperatures, especially after last week’s record-breaking 36.4C June temperature at Heathrow Airport. He told us with absolute certainty that we can attribute it to climate change.

“What we’re talking about here is unprecedented,” he said.

“Of course we’re in trouble, the estimate from the World Health and Organisation is that 1,300 people died in last week’s heat wave across Europe.

“My guess is it’s probably a lot more. Heat deaths tend to be very quiet deaths if that makes sense. It brings on heart attacks, strokes, and it brings on various other ailments, particularly in the elderly, the weak, and the young.”

Tony Wisson is a Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster. He said: “Toward the weekend, high pressure will continue to build in across most of the UK as it extends from the Azores. This will lead to more settled, warm or very warm conditions for many, especially across England and Wales, though some rain may still affect the far north.”

In light of the hot weather, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned of a potential increase in water-related incidents, including risks from cold water shock and drowning. Seven people have drowned during the most recent heatwave including a boy, thought to be 13, who lost his life in the Royal Docks on Monday (June 30).