Hotter than the Sahara
..and we have 8 more heatwaves on way
THE England team is not alone facing high pressure this week – as the UK enjoys weather hotter than the Sahara.
And forecasters say the week-long heatwave will be the first of many, with five to eight more predicted.
The 30C expected in many areas is 10C above average for the time of year and tops the 28C forecast for Nouakchott, Mauritania, in the Sahara.
Our hottest areas will be Hereford, Bristol and Telford, but Northern Ireland could reach 25C, with 26C in southern Scotland and 27C in Wales and central England.
Yesterday was the hottest day of the year so far with 29.4C recorded in St James’s Park, London, beating the previous high of 29.1C on April 19. Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: “We have an area of high pressure over virtually the whole of the UK.” AccuWeather’s Jim Andrews said: “The UK is looking at a range of five to eight more spells we would call heatwaves.” He predicted highs of 34C. Coral has cut the odds of the record June temperature of 35.6C, last recorded in 1976, being beaten this year to 2/1. TUC boss Frances O’Grady said bosses must protect outdoor workers. She said: “Sweltering conditions can be unbearable.” Gareth Southgate, take note.