The Met Office has warned the UK could be in for yet another heatwave this September as a spell of hot dry weather over Britain continues.
Britons are still reeling from the sweltering climes last week when temperatures surged above 37C in some parts of England, making it the hottest day of the year so far.
A provisional 38.1C was recorded in Kew Gardens, surpassing the previous high of 38C on June 28, the Met Office confirmed.
But now there is some likelihood the UK could experience another heatwave across the south, despite autumn fast approaching.
The agency’s long-term forecast for the first half of September says “there is a chance that late-season hot spells or heatwaves develop, especially in the south”.
The Met Office added “drier, more settled weather is slightly more likely towards the south and east”.
“Temperatures are again likely to be near to or above average overall,” it added.
Close to 75 per cent of England, as well as the entirety of Wales, has been pushed into drought after the Met Office recorded the nation’s driest July.
Over the past week, firefighters have been combatting fierce wildfires across the country.
Four were hospitalised and a major incident has been declared afte “apocalyptic” fires broke out across the West Midlands last week.
There were five main blazes on Thursday, including:
- a grassfire in Stourbridge;
- house fires in Sandyford in Stoke-on-Trent and Castle Vale near Birmingham;
- a fire in Pershore in Worcestershire; and
- a large fire in Saford Priors in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Across Britain, at least 10 people were injured in the flames, which also engulfed south Wales, Norfolk and the New Forest.
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The West Midlands Fire Service fielded thousands of 999 calls, with more than 100 of its firefighters battling blazes across the region.
But the weather this week will see much cooler temperatures before Britain heats up again in September.
This week, rain and even thunderstorms are possible in some parts of the UK while the country gears up for “changeable” conditions.
Still, a yellow heat health alert has been extended until 9am on Tuesday for the south east, south west, and London.
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: “I can’t promise rain for all of us through the week ahead, but in the south at least, it’s looking like the most changeable week we’ve seen here – well at least since the end of June.”
A jet stream across the north of England has let high pressure grasp the nation, which is the cause of the warmer temperatures over the past several months.
But, as it travels further south, lower pressure could take hold.
“So a much more changeable and at times unsettled outlook through the middle part of the week – low pressure will dominate and slowly drift its way southwards,” Mr Morgan explained.
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