When will the UK heatwave end? Met Office issues forecast for 15C drop in temperature

When will the UK heatwave end? Met Office issues forecast for 15C drop in temperature Extreme heat is forecast on Wednesday and Thursday with red warnings issued across parts of England and Wales - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments The Met Office has revealed when the heatwave is likely to end, bringing some relief as the UK braces for extreme heat later this week. A red warning for extreme heat has been issued for Wednesday and Thursday across parts of the South of England, the Midlands and Wales. Temperatures are forecast to exceed 37C and likely rise to 38C or even 40C in some areas over the next few days, and have already caused disruption to schools and transport networks. On Tuesday the heat will start to build with highs of 37C forecast for southern England and 35C in south-east Wales. But the peak is forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, when temperatures are expected to climb to at least 39C. However, by Friday temperatures will be slightly cooler, with highs of 32C forecast across eastern areas. Hot and humid nights will also make this heatwave harder to handle. Overnight temperatures will not drop below 20C in urban areas, which is known as a tropical night. The air is also very humid, making the heat even more impactful. Normally the body cools itself through evaporation, but when it is humid, the air is already saturated with water vapour and it cannot absorb moisture from the skin. This means sweat is unable to evaporate and draw heat away from the body. Heat health alerts have also been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), warning that this heatwave can pose a risk to even healthy individuals. Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: “A red heat health alert indicates a risk to life for even the healthy population, but simple actions like staying hydrated, avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day, and keeping your home cool can make a big difference. “It’s also important to look out for others, especially elderly relatives, neighbours, and those with underlying health conditions, to make sure they are aware of the forecast and following the necessary advice.” But the muggy nights and blistering daytime heat will start to ease over the weekend, with cooler temperatures expected from Friday. Explaining when the heat will start to ease, the Met Office said: “High pressure is forecast to gradually move to the east on Friday and through the weekend, which will ease temperatures slightly, though those in the South East will retain the exceptional warmth the longest. “Friday is likely to see at least some rain and cloud arrive from the West for a time, particularly in the North West, and the weekend will see a gradual transition to a more westerly influence with temperatures dropping towards the high 20s Celsius on Saturday and drop further on Sunday and into the start of next week.” According to the Met Office, temperatures could be 15C cooler by Sunday, with London forecast to see highs of 25C and Cardiff 20C. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments