London weather: ‘Mid-30s Celsius not out of the question' as Storm Dexter brings new heatwave
The Met Office is forecasting daily highs of 29C or 30C from Monday to Thursday as hot air from the continent wafts over southern England.
That would meet the threshold for an official heatwave in the capital, which requires at least three consecutive days of 28C or higher.
Bu forecasters say there is a chance it could be considerably warmer than that, with the Met Office saying temperatures in the mid-30s Celsius are 'not out of the question'.
Where exactly the hottest weather will be felt remains unclear, however, although it looks set to be warm and sunny across the whole of southern England throughout next week.
It comes as remnants of Storm Dexter over the Atlantic draws warm air up from the southwest across the UK.
Alex Burkill, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'As we go towards next week, the high pressure's still in the south...dragging in some warmer air across the near coninent where temperatures are exceptionally high.
'That means we're going to see our temperatures rising.'
He said the hot air could bring thundery showers to southern England in the early part of the week.
'But the big talking point will be the heat. We are likely to see temperatures rising. Getting into the low 30s looks quite likely as we go through the early part of next week,' he said, adding that temperatures in mid-30s Celcius are 'not out of the question'.
The heatwave will be welcomed by many Londoners heading off on UK staycations, particularly those heading to the coast where temperatures are expected to be less intense.
Newquay in Cornwall is expected to reach a high of 25C next week while Bournemouth is predicted to max out at 27C.
That contrasts with predicted temperatures of 35C in Paris and 37C in Madrid as the continent swelters in a heatwave that has sparked devastating wildfires in southern France.
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