London sweltered in 32C heat as the Met Office confirmed Tuesday was the hottest day of the year so far.
“We have recorded 32.0 C at Kew Gardens and Heathrow, provisionally making it the warmest day of the year so far in the UK,” the Met Office said.
It comes as a yellow thunderstorm warning was issued covering London and the south of England from midday until midnight on Wednesday.
We have recorded 32.0 C at Kew Gardens and Heathrow, provisionally making it the warmest day of the year so far in the UK 🌡️ pic.twitter.com/LdbhRY3MMk
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 30, 2024
Warm conditions are expected to continue on Wednesday, with highs of around 29C predicted, according to Met Office forecasters.
On Monday, health officials issued a yellow Heat Health alert for all areas of England - except for the North East and North West.
The UK Health Security Agency warning means the heat is "unlikely to impact most people" but could affect the elderly and vulnerable.
The UKHSA warned the hot spell may make an "observed increase in mortality across the population likely, particularly in the 65-plus age group or those with health conditions, but impacts may also be seen in younger age groups".
But into the afternoon and evening of Wednesday, some occasional heavy showers are expected across the south-east, with “thunder and lightning likely”.
These thundery conditions will become more likely into the latter half of the week.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: “There is a chance of some thundery outbreaks for some in the south and east from later on Wednesday, which will be the first signs of the UK’s transition to a more unsettled regime, with warnings issued to highlight potential impacts.”
The unsettled weather predicted for the latter half of the week means heavy downpours are expected in some areas.
Forecasters said: “In addition, scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms may break out on Thursday afternoon and evening across parts of central, southern and eastern England, along with perhaps south Wales, which may produce gusty winds, large hail and the risk of surface water flooding.
“The heaviest downpours could produce in excess of 25mm of rain in less than an hour, with disruption possible in some areas.”
