Britain braces for first heatwave of 2025, Met Office announces
Britain will enjoy its first heatwave of the year this week with temperatures set to soar to 32C (90F) as some places will be hotter than parts of southern Europe. Forecasters are expecting the heat to build gradually over the coming days - and most areas will reach levels above the heatwave threshold by the weekend.
An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three days in a row, with thresholds varying from 25C (77F) to 28C (82F) in different parts. In London - which has a 28C threshold - the mercury will hit 27C (81F) today and tomorrow, 29C (84F) on Thursday, 31C (88F) on Friday and 32C (90F) on Saturday.
The heat will also spread north towards the end of this week, with Manchester and Newcastle enjoying temperatures into the late 20Cs (low 80Fs) by the weekend. The Met Office said several places were expected to exceed 30C (86F) on Saturday, making them the highest temperatures of the year so far.
The current warmest day of 2025 so far was last Friday when temperatures reached 29.4C (84.9F) at Santon Downham in Suffolk. That broke the previous record for the year which stood at 29.3C (84.7F), recorded on May 1 at Kew Gardens in London. Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Tony Wisson said: 'Over the next few days, settled weather and warm sunshine will allow temperatures to rise day on day.
The heatwave means some parts of the country will surpass temperatures in holiday hotspots such as Lisbon in Portugal and Barcelona in Spain, which are predicted to reach 29C (84F) on Saturday, and Nice, France, where it will be 30C (86F). Forecasters have warned some rain is still possible in parts by the end of the week, with localised, heavy showers forecast depending on how humid it gets.
The burst of heat is expected to peak this weekend before easing early next week, with high pressure expected to move away from the UK resulting in falling temperatures. Mr Wisson added: 'Some forecast models even allow temperatures to rise into the mid-30Cs by Monday. While this is feasible, it is considered a lower-likelihood scenario.'
Meanwhile, the London Fire Brigade has issued a warning over wildfires before the prolonged spell of hot weather and following one of the driest springs on record. Charlie Pugsley, deputy commissioner for operational policy, prevention and protection, said: 'Extended periods of hot and dry weather can greatly increase the risk of a grass fire, and particularly when that grass is tinder dry the spread of fire can be rapid.'
'We have seen examples of this in London as well as more recently worldwide, such as in California and South Korea. Last month, I wrote to the chief executives of each London local authority, outlining some key measures they can take, such as to create fire breaks, and to welcome the work that councils are already undertaking.' A drought was declared by the Environment Agency across Yorkshire last week while the North West of England entered drought status last month.
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