1976 revisited? Heatwave to continue for weeks, say experts

THE hot weather in Wales seems set to continue – with the heatwave predicted to stay for at least another two weeks.

Temperatures in the country have rocketed to well over 30°C, with Porthmadog becoming the hottest place in the UK when it hit a high of 33°C last Thursday.

It’s also been the hottest June on record in Wales since 1910 and the sunniest June since 1975. A series of grass fires have broken out across the country since the weekend. One family watched in horror as a raging blaze spread into their back garden.

And it seems the hot weather won’t be disappearing any time soon – with temperatures expected to remain high for at least the rest of the month.

Computer models show that the heat is set to remain through the rest of July and August.

Chief meteorologist from the Met Office Will Lang said: “The heatwave conditions will continue to affect pretty much all parts of the UK over the next few days.

“Although peak temperatures may not be quite as high as we have seen this week, we will still see temperatures widely in the mid- to high20°Cs with 30°C or more still possible across southern and some central parts of England.”

Met Office forecaster Helen Roberts said: “This week could see 33°C in the second half of the week, and next week looks much like last week and could come close to 35°C.

“Lots of very warm, dry, sunny and settled weather is ahead, and humid nights mean it will be difficult to sleep.”

We could even see similar conditions to the 1976 heatwave, when reservoirs dried up, mountains burned and factories closed.