Met Office gives heatwave verdict as UK faces four weeks of high temperatures

Met Office gives heatwave verdict as UK faces four weeks of high temperatures Temperatures are likely to remain above normal for the coming month as multiple temperature records were broken across the UK in the past weeks Temperatures across the UK could remain above normal over the next four weeks - but it is unclear whether the country will experience a further heatwave this summer. Mercury will continue to remain high for many this week following yet another heatwave period that brought temperatures exceeding 30C. This comes as the country had already battled record-breaking temperatures in May and June, with the Met Office stating that more than 2,700 people are thought to have died during the two heatwaves. The deaths are heat-related and across England and Wales. According to research carried out by experts from Imperial College London, the Met Office and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, about 550 people are estimated to have died in the May heatwave, which took place between May 21 and 29. A further 2,200 are believed to have lost their lives due to heat related causes in the June heatwave between June 18 and 28. The hottest temperature during that period was of 37.7C and was recorded in Lingwood, Norfolk on June 26. The Met Office said: "The national record for May was broken when 35.1°C was recorded in West London, and three consecutive days of record-breaking June temperatures culminated with heat in excess of 37°C in East Anglia. Such high temperatures would be extreme even at the height of mid-summer, with July and August typically bringing the UK’s peak summer temperatures." The extreme temperatures prompted health warnings even for those not usually in vulnerable categories, such as the elderly and babies, leading to significant travel delays and school closures. Dr. Malcolm Mistry, assistant professor in climate and geo-spatial modelling at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: "It is vital that action on adapting Britain’s homes, workplaces, and critical infrastructure to extreme heat outpaces these health risks, especially if we are to protect those most vulnerable to its impacts, such as older people, babies, and children." As temperatures once again peaked at 35.5C last week in Wisley, outside of London, many might be wondering if another heatwave is to be expected before the summer ends. Stephen Dixon, Met Office spokesman, told the Mirror: "It’s simply not possible to know if this is the last official heatwave of the summer. "We’re looking at the heatwave continuing through much of this week for many, though there is a forecast slight drop over the weekend, as we start to welcome more of a northerly influence. This will only drop temperatures more towards the mid-to-high 20s Celsius rather than the current low 30s. "High pressure is likely to maintain some influence through much of the current forecast period with little in the way of a marked change in the current forecast." A UK heatwave threshold is met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold. The threshold varies by UK county between 25C in places like Scotland and 28C in London and surrounding areas. A Met Office forecast for the period between July 17 and 26 says a change in weather pattern is likely to take place ahead of this period. The current dry and sunny weather could break down into "a more unsettled spell". The Met Office said: "Some heavy and thundery showers are likely, particularly across the south of the UK. "Into the following week, a short spell of more settled weather is likely at first, before more changeable conditions return later. This brings showers or longer spells of rain at times, perhaps heavy and thundery in places. Temperatures are likely to be above normal." Regarding the period between July 27 and August 10, the forecaster added: "Changeable weather patterns are expected during this period. Showers or some longer spells of rain are likely at times, perhaps heavy and thundery. "Some drier and brighter interludes are also possible, especially in the south and southeast. Temperatures are likely to be above normal with some hot spells possible."