Forecasters at the Met Office are predicting the highest July
temperatures ever recorded this week, with a 30% probability on
Wednesday of breaking the all-time UK temperature record.
The highest temperature
ever recorded in the UK was 38.5 °C at Faversham in Kent
on 10 August 2003. This week, temperatures of 37 °C are expected,
however it is possible that the all-time record could be broken
as one or two locations in the Home Counties of south-east England
reach highs of 39 °C (102 °F).
What caused the heatwave?
The reason for the heatwave is a prolonged period
of very settled weather, with cloudless skies and
strong sunshine which has allowed temperatures to
rise. Over the coming days, hotter air will move across
from continental Europe, causing the temperature to
rise further.
Is global warming a factor?
Research conducted at the Met Office, shows that there
is a significant human contribution to these heatwaves
because of CO2 emissions over recent decades. This
is a sign of things to come, with the current temperatures
becoming a normal event by the middle of this century.
The outlook is for less hot weather to move across the country
by the end of the week, although temperatures are expected to
remain above average for the rest of the month.
UK record temperatures
July record
All-time record
England
36.0 °C
Epsom
22/07/1911
38.5 °C
Faversham
10/08/2003
Wales
33.6 °C
Usk
3/07/1976
35.2 °C
Hawarden Bridge
2/08/1990
Scotland
32.8 °C
Dumfries
2/07/1908
32.9 °C
Greycrook
9/08/2003
Northern Ireland
30.8 °C
Belfast
12/07/1983
30.8 °C
30.8 °C
Knockarevan
Belfast
30/06/1976
12/07/1983
Regional
maximum temperatures for this week in July
