UK heatwave: New maps turn red as 29C African plume descends on Britain before chaos

Daily Mirror

28-04-2025

As parts of Britain swelter in blistering 29C heat, other areas will be preparing for thunderstorms and a dose of rain to round off an undeniably dry month
Britain is set to roast in 29C heat this week, with the hottest day so far this year expected to fall within hours.
But don't get too used to the heat, forecasters have warned, as a tumble in temperatures is expected by the weekend, and even thunderstorms could strike some areas before the week is over.
‌
The Met Office has said high pressure will begin building on Wednesday, April 30, with Thursday bringing in a short and sweet peak of nearly 30C, most likely to strike in the south-east and central London.
‌
Jim Dale, a climate commentator and founder of British Weather Services, told the Mirror that the sudden influx of heat is a result of south easterly airflow slightly off the continent but mostly out of Africa. Along with Britain, France, Belgium and Italy are also among the European countries set to bake this week.
UK weather records could be smashed as 29C mark may be broken this week
He said: "London will probably take the hit, but most will see 24C. By Thursday, there will be a bit more humidity around and there could also be some thunderstorms in Wales and the Midlands. But after that things will die down - I don't think we will be breaking any records, but we will see."
The hottest April day was recorded to be 29.9C in 1949 in Camden, central London. The Met Office points out that if 30C is reached on Thursday it will be the earliest point of the year that Britain has done so since records began.
Chief meteorologist at the Met Office, Jason Kelly, said: 'Thursday looks set to be the warmest day of the week, with temperatures climbing notably above the seasonal average. Overnight temperatures will also be very high in places.
‌
"It's possible national and station records for daytime and overnight temperatures may be broken, but it's unclear at this point whether heatwave criteria will be reached in some of the lower category areas which require temperatures to reach 25C or above for three consecutive days.
"The far north will always see cooler conditions, with these more seasonal temperatures likely spreading erratically south later in the week.'
How long will the heat last?
Mr Dale said the mercury is likely to return to an uneventful normal by next week, with some possible, sporadic, southern showers this weekend. "It will still be dry next week, but it will be chequered and we will see some northerlies back, this heat will be short-lived," he added.
‌
"Most people will enjoy it, and I am sure it will come back. It is not that unusual for this time of year." Despite Thursday being earmarked as the peak day for temperatures, Mr Dale did say that Scotland's could come by Wednesday with 22C highs expected in Edinburgh and Inverness. This is before the mercury begins to trail off, leaving the southern half of Britain to bask in scorching heat.
What do weather maps show?
Weather maps align with the advice from experts, with Friday noticeably cooler. Top temperatures of 22C are expected across the south-east, which represents a 7C drop in thermometers over a 24 hour period.
By the time the weekend arrives, the mercury is set to fluctuate between 20C and lower for much of Britain, with lows of 15C by Bank Holiday Monday.