When will the heatwave end? Met Office’s latest forecast unpacked

A rare red warning for extreme heat has been extended into Friday, as parts of the UK brace for more record-breaking temperatures.

The warning will now last until 9pm on Friday for London and parts of southeast England, leaving everyone asking one question: when will it end?

On Wednesday, the June temperature record – held since the summer of 1976 – was smashed as provisional figures suggest it reached 36.1C in Gosport, Hampshire.

Temperatures are remaining exceptionally warm at night, making it hard for people to sleep and recover from the day’s heat.

Follow the latest heatwave news on Metro’s live blog

When will the heatwave end?

Today and tomorrow, most of the UK will see sunshine with low clouds and lingering hot, humid air.

Beginning tomorrow, however, temperatures will drop slightly – but still be in the low 30s, before finally dipping further on Sunday and Monday.

The Met Office said: ‘Thursday will see the peak of the heat for many, though those further east will retain extreme heat on Friday and Saturday and could continue to see further impacts, which has resulted in Amber warnings.

‘The far southeast will retain the warmth the longest, though there should be a climb-down in figures by Saturday, with peaks around 32C likely.

‘Next week is likely to see a change to more of a westerly influence on the UK’s weather, with a return to more average temperatures for the time of year and a mixture of winds and rain, particularly for those in the North West.’

What’s the long-range forecast for next week?

The Met Office has issued a long-range forecast for June 29 to July 8, which will see periods of rain and showers with thunderstorms at times.

‘The best of the drier and brighter weather initially will be across the southeast. Then perhaps a drier start to July for many, although the northwest may still see some rain at times, and perhaps accompanied by some strong winds,’ they wrote.

‘Temperatures remain widely above average, and there remains a chance of some very warm or hot weather returning, mainly across the south.’

Why is it so hot?

This heatwave is being driven by a huge rea of high pressure, which is often referred to as a heat dome.

As the Met Office explains in their blog, this high-pressure system is being supported by a ‘dip in the jet stream to the west, allowing warm air to move northwards.

‘As air sinks under high pressure, it becomes compressed and warms. Combined with strong sunshine at this time of year, this leads to a steady rise in temperatures day by day.

This process also allows warmer air from further south and east to be drawn into the UK, reinforcing the heat and maintaining settled, sunny conditions for many areas.’

Humidity also makes the temperature feel much more intense.

‘Humidity is linked to the source of the air mass. In this case, air arriving at the surface has travelled over the Atlantic before reaching the UK, meaning it carries more moisture’ explains the Met Office.

‘This is a significant difference compared with previous extreme heat events. Higher moisture levels increase dew point temperatures, which in turn make it more difficult for the body to cool itself through sweating.’

The latest heatwave has prompted renewed calls for the UK to be better prepared for the rising risk of extreme heat that a changing climate is bringing, including cooling for hospitals, schools and care homes, heat regulations for workplaces, and to prepare infrastructure against rising temperatures.

The Royal College of Physicians said doctors have described severe, unsustainable pressure on the workforce, with very few settings having air conditioning, staff ‘really struggling’ and resident doctors battling the heat while sleep-deprived.

One physician has warned ‘conditions are awful’ due to overcrowding, another said two machines used to treat cancer had stopped amid the heatwave, and there had been reports of patients on geriatric wards – one of the groups most vulnerable to heat – facing temperatures of up to 35C.

Almost one in five employers have no measures to help workers cope with the heat, according to the Chartered Management Institute, with an uneven response to the heatwave.

Its survey of 1,000 managers found a third said their company had relaxed dress codes, while a quarter said flexible working hours were being offered, and a minority reported other measures such as free refreshments, additional breaks and reduced workloads.

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