After a brief cooler spell this weekend, London is set to sizzle once again as temperatures climb above 30C next week, bringing the capital’s fourth heatwave of the summer into view
Londoners can enjoy a brief break from the intense heat today, but it won’t last long. After a cooler, cloudier Sunday with a few light showers, temperatures are set to climb rapidly through the week, with the capital expected to hit 32C by Wednesday as a fourth heatwave of the summer takes hold.
The latest forecasts from the Met Office and BBC Weather show the capital returning to dry, settled and increasingly hot conditions from Monday onwards. Sunshine will become more widespread, winds will ease and temperatures will steadily rise, peaking in the low 30s by the middle of the week.
The return of the heat comes as much of England continues to endure exceptionally dry conditions. Several areas have recorded virtually no meaningful rainfall throughout July, while heat alerts remain in force across London and much of southern England until Sunday morning.
The prolonged hot and dry spell has also fuelled wildfires across parts of the UK, with emergency crews battling major blazes in Wales and Scotland. Across Europe, devastating forest fires have forced the evacuation of around 200,000 people in parts of France and Spain.
Although Sunday brings a temporary change, forecasters say southern England will remain largely dry, with only isolated showers before brighter skies develop later in the day. By Monday, high pressure is expected to re-establish itself across the south, bringing another spell of hot weather.
If temperatures reach or exceed London’s heatwave threshold of 28C for three consecutive days, this will mark the fourth official heatwave episode of the year in parts of the South East. Current forecasts suggest highs will exceed 30C from Tuesday through Thursday.
Looking further ahead, there are signs conditions could become more changeable at the start of August, with the possibility of some heavy rain and stronger winds. However, forecasters stress there is still uncertainty, and southern areas are likely to remain very warm for much of the coming week.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Dan Suri said: “After a prolonged spell of hot, dry and settled weather, some will see a temporary change this weekend as weather fronts move south-east across the UK. While some areas, particularly in the north and west, will see rain and showers, many places are likely to receive relatively little rainfall. For much of southern England, dry conditions are expected to remain the dominant feature, with temperatures recovering quickly next week and the potential for very warm or locally hot weather to return.”
London weather day-by-day
- Sunday (27 July): Cloudy start with patchy light rain and isolated showers. Brighter spells developing through the afternoon. Very warm in sunshine despite a breeze. High: 26C. Low: 17C.
- Monday (28 July): Dry with sunny spells becoming more prolonged later in the day. Lighter winds and feeling very warm. High: 29C. Low: 19C.
- Tuesday (29 July): Wall-to-wall sunshine and turning hot as temperatures climb above the heatwave threshold. High: 32C. Low: 18C.
- Wednesday (30 July): Dry, settled and sunny with another hot day across the capital. High: around 30C.
- Thursday (31 July): Plenty of sunshine continues with temperatures remaining in the high 20s. High: 28C. Low: 16C.
- Friday (1 August): Warm and mostly sunny with just a little fair-weather cloud. High: 24C. Low: 15C.
- Saturday (2 August): Dry with sunny spells and warm conditions continuing. High: 25C. Low: 16C.
