Scorchio.. 37.8C heatwave is coming

» African heat flare to hit UK » Back to 30C by end of week

BLISTERING Britain baked in temperatures up to 37.8C last week, but that was just a “warm-up” for what is to come, forecasters warn.

A 700-mile “African heat flare” is working its way north to the UK and will send temperatures back up to 30C in the South East by Thursday.

And it may top the UK’s record high of 38.7C set in Cambridge in July, 2019.

Temperatures hit 37.8C in London on Friday, the third hottest day on record. And The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: “It looks like last Friday was the warm-up for the main event.

“Record temperatures over 38.7C are not out of the question, with heat later this week and again next week. Heat will come from further south in north Africa. August could rescue summer.”

After Friday’s sweltering heat, things cooled at the weekend, but it was still hot enough for staycation fun in the sun.

The second heatwave is set to send temperatures soaring back up to 37C from Friday. By Thursday, temperatures in London and the South East could already be back up to 30C.

Met Office forecaster John Griffiths said: “There’s a 20% chance of 37C on

Friday or Saturday. A southerly flow means 35C is possible by Friday, with Saturday potentially a whisker warmer at 36C and heat possibly into Sunday.

“It’s a similar hot air mass to last week. But first, showers start the week.”

His colleague Marco Petagna said it was possible temperatures could be even higher. He said: “37C is shown on a computer model. Remember computer models underplayed Friday’s heat.

“But the coming weekend is a long time ahead. 37.8C was recorded on Friday after one to two days of heating. Imagine what a sustained southerly could achieve.”

This time round the heatwave will not be limited to the South East.

Forecasters are predicting that the temperature in Leeds and Cardiff will reach up to 28C on Saturday, with highs of 27C in Manchester and Newcastle.

It looks like Friday was a warm-up for the main event

BRIAN GLAZE WEATHER OUTLOOK FORECASTER

SUNNY SMILES Eva and Isla Sutcliffe in St Annes, Lancs yesterday

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