The sixth heatwave of the year is set to hit London, with BBC forecasters predicting temperatures between 28C and 30C from Tuesday, August 11, through Saturday, August 15. This follows a period of relatively mild weather, with daytime highs ranging from 23C to 27C in the coming days. The Met Office defines a heatwave in the capital as three consecutive days of 28C or above, a threshold that will be met and exceeded during this period.
Forecast Details and Daily Temperatures
According to the BBC's extended forecast, the hottest days will be Wednesday, August 12, and Thursday, August 13, with highs of 30C and sunny conditions. Friday, August 14, will see 29C, while Tuesday and Saturday will reach 28C. The Met Office's long-range forecast, while not as specific, suggests a mix of hot weather and potential thunderstorms, particularly in southern and eastern areas. It notes that temperatures will remain above average, but without the 'exceptional' heat seen earlier in the summer.
The Met Office's outlook states: "This means there is a greater chance of frontal systems or thundery interludes to affect southern and eastern areas, certainly in comparison to recent weeks, though rainfall amounts could be quite variable with some areas seeing relatively little. For the most part, temperatures look to remain above average, especially in the south, though perhaps without the exceptional heat we have seen in recent weeks."
Uncomfortable Nights and Water Concerns
WXCharts, a weather forecasting service, predicts a particularly uncomfortable night on Thursday, August 13, with temperatures reaching around 31C at midnight, making sleep difficult. This comes as Thames Water reports that water storage levels have dropped by 15% in just one month due to the prolonged dry spell.
Martin Padley, Water Director at Thames Water, addressed the situation: "It's been bone dry, we've not been able to abstract an awful lot of water. But there is still water for everybody to drink, nobody needs to worry but it is quite an important situation we're in at the moment." He emphasized that while there is no immediate threat to supply, every drop counts during the drought.
London Weather Outlook: August 4-17
Here is the day-by-day forecast for London from the BBC:
- Tuesday, August 4: High 28C, low 17C, sunny intervals and a moderate breeze
- Wednesday, August 5: High 25C, low 13C, sunny intervals and a moderate breeze
- Thursday, August 6: High 23C, low 13C, sunny intervals and a gentle breeze
- Friday, August 7: High 25C, low 14C, sunny intervals and light winds
- Saturday, August 8: High 26C, low 15C, sunny intervals and light winds
- Sunday, August 9: High 27C, low 15C, sunny intervals and light winds
- Monday, August 10: High 27C, low 15C, sunny intervals and a gentle breeze
- Tuesday, August 11: High 28C, low 16C, sunny and light winds
- Wednesday, August 12: High 30C, low 18C, sunny and light winds
- Thursday, August 13: High 30C, low 18C, sunny and light winds
- Friday, August 14: High 29C, low 17C, sunny intervals and light winds
- Saturday, August 15: High 28C, low 17C, thick cloud and a gentle breeze
- Sunday, August 16: High 27C, low 17C, light cloud and a gentle breeze
- Monday, August 17: High 26C, low 17C, light cloud and a gentle breeze
Residents are advised to stay hydrated and check on vulnerable neighbours as the heatwave approaches. The combination of high temperatures and low water storage highlights the need for water conservation.
