Birmingham is set to experience its hottest day of the year so far on Friday, with the Met Office predicting temperatures as high as 33°C as the UK enters its third heatwave in as many months.
South east England has already officially met the heatwave criteria after three consecutive days above 28°C, and temperatures are expected to climb across the UK throughout the week, with some areas possibly reaching 35°C.
Birmingham Weather Forecast
Monday evening will be bright and warm, though late sunshine may be hazy. Overnight will stay dry with patchy low cloud and some mist, with a minimum temperature of 15°C. Tuesday will see any low cloud lift quickly, bringing a very warm day with strong sunshine and light winds, reaching a maximum of 28°C.
The outlook from Wednesday to Friday is fine with strong sunshine, temperatures climbing and feeling increasingly hot. Conditions will remain dry with light winds. Friday is expected to be the hottest day in Birmingham, with the Met Office forecasting 33°C.
National Heatwave Situation
Parts of southern England could see 32°C on Tuesday, rising to 33°C on Wednesday and 34°C on Thursday, with isolated areas reaching 35°C on Friday and Saturday. On Monday, the highest temperature was 34°C in Teddington, south-west London, according to the Met Office.
A north-south divide will persist through the first half of the week, with Scotland seeing stronger winds and rain on Tuesday and temperatures closer to average. By the weekend, warm air is expected to reach northern parts, bringing increasingly humid conditions and a risk of showers or isolated thunderstorms.
Health Alerts and Precautions
Amber heat health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the Midlands and southern England from 9am Wednesday to 9pm Sunday. This indicates significant impacts likely across health and social care services, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.
Yellow heat health alerts have been issued for Yorkshire and northern England for the same period. The UKHSA warned of a potential increase in water-related incidents across England, including cold water shock and drowning.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Steven Keates said: “Parts of the UK are entering heatwave conditions: the third heatwave in the UK so far this year. However, unlike the May and June heatwaves, we are not expecting this heatwave to be record-breaking. Temperatures this week are not expected to reach the highs we witnessed last month, though parts of southern England in particular are likely to see several days in the low 30s, and a few places could reach 34-35°C later this week.”
Keates added that people should “take the usual precautions with the heat and the sun”.
Travel and Safety Advice
The Met Office warned England could experience “tropical nights” later this week, where temperatures do not fall below 20°C. National Rail Enquiries urged train passengers to check for updates over the coming days due to the heatwave. Vehicle breakdown rescue companies are likely to be busier than usual.
Drivers are advised to carry plenty of water and conduct essential vehicle checks before setting off, particularly tyre pressures and coolant and oil levels. Tony Rich, AA road safety spokesman, said: “With temperatures expected to climb into the low 30s across parts of England over the coming days, drivers should take the heat as seriously as they would ice or heavy rain. A few simple checks before setting off can make all the difference. Make sure your tyres are correctly inflated, check your coolant level and carry plenty of drinking water for everyone in the vehicle, including pets. If you’re planning a longer journey, build in regular breaks and try to avoid the hottest part of the day where possible. Should you break down, get yourself and your passengers to a place of safety, ideally behind the safety barrier if there is one, and keep hydrated while waiting for assistance.”
The Met Office said UV levels are expected to be high or very high across many parts of the UK throughout the week, and advised sun protection. Pollen levels are also expected to be high or very high in some areas.
