The capital has been enjoying slightly cooler temperatures over the last few days – but the forecast looks to be heating up
London may be known for its higher-than-average temperatures but this summer has truly been something else so far. The past few weeks have seen scorching 30C+ temperatures and sweltering commutes – and the forecast doesn’t look set to change anytime soon.
While it’s not been quite as hot in recent days, the heatwave we’ve now grown accustomed to could rear its head again at the start of next month. BBC Weather is forecasting a high of 31C on Saturday, August 1, with sunny spells and some light cloud. BBQ anyone?
This extra warm day will follow almost a fortnight of mid to high 20s conditions, but they’re not all going to be bright skied and sunny. A band of rain is expected to move in across the capital early on Sunday, July 26, bringing about light showers and a breeze though to Monday night.
The wet weather currently looks like it will linger and threaten to pour in some areas until August 1, before the sun comes out at around 4pm. Netweather is predicting an even hotter day, with its maps showing a peak of 31C
The Met Office’s long-range forecast for July 24 – August 2 agrees with these above average temperatures and rainy spells. It reads: “Northern and northwestern areas will be cloudier with occasional patchy rain or drizzle.
“Into the weekend and perhaps the start of next week, more unsettled weather with rain at times, especially across northern parts of the UK. This rain may very well reach southern areas too, but could become more light and patchy here.
“Confidence becomes lower as we approach the turn of the month, but there are signs that high pressure will return, which means dry conditions would resume, especially in the south. Winds will be mostly light or moderate, occasionally fresh around northern coasts.
“Temperatures are expected to be near or above normal, warmest in the south, perhaps becoming very warm again by the start of August.”
Higher pressure is more likely than lower pressure through August, the Met Office added, meaning there is potential for more hot spells, especially across the south. However, the authority has warned of occasional thunderstorms.
Parts of London were battered by thunder and lightning in late June after temperatures rose to sizzling levels. This caused flash flooding in some streets and Tube stations, and thought to have sparked a house fire in Tooting.
Thunderstorms are likely to occur after a heatwave because the atmosphere becomes unstable. This typically happens when very warm air near the surface sits beneath much cooler air higher up.
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