Heatwave set to return and last till HOTOBER
It might have cooled off, but don’t put away the sun cream yet
DESPITE cooling off recently north of the Border, it’s still being hailed as the hottest British summer for years and now forecasters are predicting that many of us could be basking – or sweating uncomfortably – in warm weather until well into the autumn.
Much of Britain is more likely to see hotter than normal temperatures, thanks to high pressure continuing into October, according to the Meteorological Office.
The latest long-range forecast comes as up to one million Brits abroad in the Mediterranean sizzled yesterday in temperatures peaking at 45.5C (113.9F), driven by an African plume of hot air sweeping across Europe.
Holidaymakers and expats sweltered in the heat – which reached its highest levels in Portugal, where firefighters battled wildfires, and Spain, where warnings were issued.
The near-record high temperatures across Europe have been caused by an area of high pressure sitting off the coast of Portugal which has been drawing up hot air from the Sahara, say forecasters.
There had been predictions that Europe’s record temperature of 48C (118F), set in Athens in 1977, might be broken this weekend, but the mercury fell short, with a high of 46.4C (116F) on Friday. Yesterday’s 45.5C (114F) peak was in the Portuguese village of Alvega, about 100 miles north-east of Lisbon.
Holidaymakers were warned to stay hydrated and to keep out of the sun during the hottest times.
A major fire broke out on Friday in Monchique, in Portugal’s southern Algarve region, consuming more than 1,000 hectares of eucalyptus forest and forcing evacuations from one village.
Elsewhere in Europe, four nuclear reactors in France were forced to close due to the heat, while asphalt road in the Netherlands melted.
Meanwhile, English sun-seekers from Brighton to Norfolk and Canterbury to Dorset basked in the fine weather.
Temperatures reached a high of 29.8C (85.6F) in Gosport, Hampshire, with forecasts that London will see 30C (86F) today at Kew Gardens and St James’s Park.
The Met Office has issued a ‘yellow’ heat warning for the South-East of England which will remain in place until 9am tomorrow, with high temperatures across the country.
However, the outlook for the next few days is rather different north of the Border.
Scotland will escape the searing heat of the Continent and the South of England, as frontal systems coming in from the Atlantic depress temperatures and produce rain and heavy showers.
Many parts will remain cloudy today, with the Central Belt suffering isolated showers.
The best of the weather will be reserved for the North-East, with the Moray Firth and Aberdeen in line for 21-22C (70-72F).
Under the cloud, Glasgow and Edinburgh will reach 18-19C (64-66F).
It is a similar picture tomorrow, though the North-West Highlands can expect very heavy rain. This front will move north-east before fizzling out later in the day.
Again, the North-East will fare best, with temperatures once more expected to hit 22C (72F).