Exact date 'more extreme' heatwave to sweep UK as warm spell continues into August

31 July 2024, 16:40

A 'more extreme' heatwave is set to sweep the UK next month as the warm spell continues.

It comes after Tuesday was the warmest day of the year so far with a temperature of 32C recorded at Kew Gardens and Heathrow.

But torrential downpours are set to put a dampener on the scorching weather on Thursday, with some areas expected to see as much as a month's rainfall in a few hours.

A yellow thunderstorm warning was put in place for London, Essex and much of the South East from midday until 11.59pm on Wednesday.

A wider warning, covering much of England and Wales, is also in place on Thursday from 1am until 11.59pm.

Read more: UK set to scorch in 30 degrees before thunderstorms bring 3.5in rain on Thursday

Read more: Heat alerts issued across UK as temperatures to hit 33C in summer heatwave

However it will not be long before the sweltering conditions return.

Exacta Weather forecaster James Madden said another "major heat surge" is expected to arrive "in and around August 10 to August 15".

"This could bring the hottest temperatures of the summer to date, with overall values rising into the low to mid 30Cs at the very least once again," he said, according to the Mirror.

Mr Madden added: "[We] could even see temperatures reaching into the mid to high 30Cs in the hottest parts of the country during this developing period."

If the predictions are correct, the return of the warm weather will constitute an official heatwave.

A heatwave is officially defined as a location recording consecutively high temperatures, usually above or around 26C for three days in a row.

Addressing growing temperatures on Wednesday, Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon said: "We're expecting to see many more locations with their temperatures today taking them over the heatwave criteria - with three days over their threshold temperature.

"We're expecting it to be fairly widespread across parts of the south of England, particularly the South East."

When the rain hits, it will "likely to be focused on central, southern and South East areas of England", Met Office deputy chief forecaster Dan Holley said.

He added: "Here some locations will witness torrential downpours, large hail and frequent lightning.

"A few places could see 50-100mm of rainfall in a few hours."

The Met Office said it was "likely" that some weather warnings may need to be issued at short notice ahead of the development of the most intense thunderstorm activity.