Met Office says third UK heatwave of year to be different in three crucial ways

Met Office says third UK heatwave of year to be different in three crucial ways The UK is 'entering heatwave conditions' again with the Met Office forecasting highs of 34C to 35C and a prolonged spell of hot weather as yellow heat-health alerts are now in place across parts of England. The Met Office says the UK is "entering" its third heatwave of the year, with highs of between 34C and 35C forecast for later this week. Unlike the previous two hot spells, this one is not expected to bring the same extreme temperatures or high humidity seen in June. The Met Office has added that there will also be fewer exceptionally warm nights. But forecasters have said the heat may last longer with the Met Office saying "many places are likely to experience several consecutive days of hot weather". Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Steven Keates said: "Parts of the UK are entering heatwave conditions: the third heatwave in the UK so far this year. However, unlike the May and June heatwaves, we are not expecting this heatwave to be record-breaking. Temperatures this week are not expected to reach the highs we witnessed last month, though parts of southern England in particular are likely to see several days in the low 30s Celsius, and a few places could reach 34-35C later this week. "Night-time temperatures again will not be as high as what we experienced in June, though some larger urban areas are likely to remain in the high teens Celsius overnight, especially later in the week, and there is a chance that a tropical night (where temperatures do not fall below 20C) may be recorded in a few places. "Much of England and Wales will be hot, and the heat will extend to parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland too, though here peak temperatures are more likely to be in the upper 20s Celsius. With high UV and high temperatures, people should take the usual precautions with the heat and the sun." Parts of southeast England are expected to meet official heatwave conditions by the end of Monday and as temperatures continue to rise through the week, further regions are likely to meet their local heatwave thresholds. Forecast temperatures for southern parts of the UK include highs of around 32C on Monday and Tuesday, rising to 33C on Wednesday, 34C on Thursday, and with isolated locations potentially reaching 35C on Friday and Saturday. The upcoming hot spell follows a record-breaking end to June, when the UK recorded its hottest day for that month on record. A temperature of 37.7C was recorded at Lingwood in Norfolk, east of Norwich, on June 26, beating the previous June record of 37.3C set at Santon Downham in Suffolk on the same day. Yellow heat-health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are in force across the East Midlands, East of England, South East, South West, London and the West Midlands until 8pm on July 11. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said minor impacts were likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures. These include increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people, a greater risk to life for vulnerable people and increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm. The agency also warned of an increase in water related incidents, including cold water shock and drowning. There are signs the heatwave will ease back towards more normal summer temperatures during the week beginning July 13.