Forecasters have warned Britain could roast in record temperatures on Thursday – with some expecting the heatwave to reach 40C.
The top temperature ever achieved in the UK came in August 2003, when it hit 38.5C in Kent.
But with humidity possibly making it feel as blisteringly hot as 44C, experts feel the current record may be exceeded.
And even though the country will be basking, clammy nights are also expected to continue – and thunderstorms could return following last night’s startling lightning strikes.
Feeling the heat? Here’s some advice on actions to take during the hot weather and ways of keeping cool @PHE @age_uk https://t.co/7OE5AKBFXi 🍦☀️#WeatherAware #heatwave #HeatwaveUK pic.twitter.com/Cs2yqMy9lR
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 24, 2019
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The Met Office’s Chief Meteorologist Frank Saunders is reported to have told The Mirror: “There is a real possibility of records being broken this week, not only for July but also all-time records.”
Explaining that conditions look set to follow the pattern that brought high temperatures to Europe a month ago, he added: “The difference this time is that the wind flow will be more directly from France, paving the way for some exceptional, perhaps record-breaking temperatures.
“As well as high temperatures during the day, overnight temperatures will also be notably warm and could also break records.”
And weather expert Sophie Yeomans is quoted as telling London’s Evening Standard: “It’s likely we’ll see up to 39C around London, East Anglia, Suffolk, Essex and Kent.
Slept badly last night? There were thousands of lightning strikes recorded across the UK!
Here’s a replay 👇 #ThunderstormThe blues, yellows and pinks on the map are rainfall, with the pink colours showing the heaviest rainfall. pic.twitter.com/HJ0JwL32je
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 24, 2019
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“And there’s a chance we could even reach 40C.”
Forecasters have also warned the swelteringly conditions could be aggravated by Saharan dust and wildfires in Portugal.
Health warnings have been issued to help people falling ill due to the roasting temperatures, with the elderly and those with health conditions advised to stay indoors when the weather is at is hottest.
The NHS has suggested people drink plenty of water and apply high-factor suntan cream to avoid suffering in the heat.
#thunderstorm
The power of Mother Nature at its best! pic.twitter.com/Swv0pN0OR9— Martin Rutterford (@MJRUTT) July 24, 2019
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