Heatwave what Heatwave ?

[AlterEgo]

The map viewer at TheWeatherOutlook.com is showing 41°C for the parts of the UK on Tuesday afternoon:

View attachment 117769

And that's open air temperature - add at least another 2-3° for urban environments.

Very strange to see the temperature centre located so far north. I’d still bet the hottest temperature on the day is recorded at Heathrow Airport though, with its searing hot microclimate.

 

[Cowley]

Before we go any further we’ve decided to keep this thread on the subject of what’s currently happening with this particular heatwave - As in how it’s effecting thing over the next few days, rather than making it a wider debate about climate change which we’ve discussed in various other threads anyway.

Apologies to the couple of people that have had posts relating to climate change deleted but we’d rather keep this thread manageable and current information based.

Thanks everyone.

 

[brad465]

The highest temperatures from that map are definitely a lot further north than would be expected. Usually the highest temperatures in recent heatwaves have been in London and the Southeast rather Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.

This might silence all those who say things like "it's freezing outside the M25" or other things along the lines of how cold the north is compared to the south. On a more serious note though the north is generally has a lower threshold for heat tolerance than the southeast for obvious reasons, I believe the heatwave condition threshold is about 2-3C lower in the north than London, so combining this with them having the highest temperature will be very troubling if this forecast materialises.

Very strange to see the temperature centre located so far north. I’d still bet the hottest temperature on the day is recorded at Heathrow Airport though, with its searing hot microclimate.

The location that sees the hottest temperature appears to be influenced by the wind direction as well urban heat island effects. London obviously has the largest effect, but temperature records have been in places outside London, such as Faversham in 2003 and Cambridge in 2019. It's possible heat was blown out of London to these areas, the latter would be possible on a southerly wind, the former on a westerly wind. Heathrow would certainly see higher temperatures when a E/SE wind blows, and as you say is helped by a load of tarmac and jet engines as well.

 

[Busaholic]

The location that sees the hottest temperature appears to be influenced by the wind direction as well urban heat island effects. London obviously has the largest effect, but temperature records have been in places outside London, such as Faversham in 2003 and Cambridge in 2019. It's possible heat was blown out of London to these areas, the latter would be possible on a southerly wind, the former on a westerly wind. Heathrow would certainly see higher temperatures when a E/SE wind blows, and as you say is helped by a load of tarmac and jet engines as well.

Quite a few years ago, because Peter Gibb was still a meteorologist then, he was asked the most likely place to reach the then unreached 100 degree fahrenheit mark and he replied Gravesend, Kent, if he was a betting man, and bearing in mind the location of weather stations.

 

[RichJF]

Desperately want to be outside enjoying the local countryside but it's just too hot to safely do that this weekend! We're up to nearly 28/29 where I live & the sun is STRONG!

Interestingly the Southern side of GTR said majority of their services will run but expect heat disruption.

 

[philosopher]

This might silence all those who say things like "it's freezing outside the M25" or other things along the lines of how cold the north is compared to the south. On a more serious note though the north is generally has a lower threshold for heat tolerance than the southeast for obvious reasons, I believe the heatwave condition threshold is about 2-3C lower in the north than London, so combining this with them having the highest temperature will be very troubling if this forecast materialises.

The location that sees the hottest temperature appears to be influenced by the wind direction as well urban heat island effects. London obviously has the largest effect, but temperature records have been in places outside London, such as Faversham in 2003 and Cambridge in 2019. It's possible heat was blown out of London to these areas, the latter would be possible on a southerly wind, the former on a westerly wind. Heathrow would certainly see higher temperatures when a E/SE wind blows, and as you say is helped by a load of tarmac and jet engines as well.

On the day of peak temperatures in the 2019 heatwave, it clouded over in London in the afternoon from the south. I assume the cloud did not reach Cambridge until the evening, hence why Cambridge instead of somewhere in or near London has the current UK temperature record.

 

[brad465]

Quite a few years ago, because Peter Gibb was still a meteorologist then, he was asked the most likely place to reach the then unreached 100 degree fahrenheit mark and he replied Gravesend, Kent, if he was a betting man, and bearing in mind the location of weather stations.

Gravesend has had the hottest temperature of particular heatwaves, and holds the October temperature record of 29.9C from 2011. It was also where I was born, so when it's been the hottest I have felt a bit of pride.

 

[johntea]

Not too bad at the moment in West Yorkshire, there is a moderate breeze to go along with the sun

 

[Neptune]

Yes the Airedale wind tunnel is taking the edge off the heat. Still not stopped me from being horizontal in the back garden though. Garden thermometer showing 35c at the moment.

 

[D6130]

Garden thermometer showing 35c at the moment.

Presumably that will be the 'full sun' temperature. Our garden thermometer - in the shade - in Hebden Bridge is currently showing 28 degrees.

 

[route101]

Clouded over and there is a cooling breeze. 27c.

 

[Neptune]

Presumably that will be the 'full sun' temperature. Our garden thermometer - in the shade - in Hebden Bridge is currently showing 28 degrees.

Yes. Still not actually topped last week’s temp of 38c

 

[Busaholic]

Gravesend has had the hottest temperature of particular heatwaves, and holds the October temperature record of 29.9C from 2011. It was also where I was born, so when it's been the hottest I have felt a bit of pride.

I'm afraid not all the weather forecasters are quite aware of which county Gravesend is in. I've twice heard it described as Essex, which to Kentish Men like you and me is like a red rag to a bull!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I'm afraid not all the weather forecasters are quite aware of which county Gravesend is in. I've twice heard it described as Essex, which to Kentish Men like you and me is like a red rag to a bull!

I think that they are confusing it with Grays in Essex.

Up north, old-timers like me still remember being annoyed in days of yore to hear the weather forecaster say ...."And here in the South-East"....

 

[Busaholic]

I think that they are confusing it with Grays in Essex.

Divided by a river, and so much else.

 

[Acey]

Divided by a river and a 100 years or so !

 

[GiT™]

32'c in Grimsby today - and 27'c right now.

Tuesday is the one to watch for. Records will tumble.

 

[Runningaround]

This might silence all those who say things like "it's freezing outside the M25" or other things along the lines of how cold the north is compared to the south. On a more serious note though the north is generally has a lower threshold for heat tolerance than the southeast for obvious reasons, I believe the heatwave condition threshold is about 2-3C lower in the north than London, so combining this with them having the highest temperature will be very troubling if this forecast materialises.

The location that sees the hottest temperature appears to be influenced by the wind direction as well urban heat island effects. London obviously has the largest effect, but temperature records have been in places outside London, such as Faversham in 2003 and Cambridge in 2019. It's possible heat was blown out of London to these areas, the latter would be possible on a southerly wind, the former on a westerly wind. Heathrow would certainly see higher temperatures when a E/SE wind blows, and as you say is helped by a load of tarmac and jet engines as well.

Works both ways doesn't it? 2 inches of Snow in London blanket news coverage, a blizzard 3ft deep in Scotland and it's kept to the weather forecast.

 

[davehsug]

On the day of peak temperatures in the 2019 heatwave, it clouded over in London in the afternoon from the south. I assume the cloud did not reach Cambridge until the evening, hence why Cambridge instead of somewhere in or near London has the current UK temperature record.

Spot on! There was also an occasion in 2020 when the upper air temperatures weren't far off what we'll get in the next couple of days, and the record was thought to be under threat. In the end, the surface flow changed to the East and a cooler flow from the North Sea, undercut the heat preventing high temperatures. It is concerning how temperatures that used to take a few days of successive heating to be reached, can now be achieved at the drop of a hat.

 

[adc82140]

It's just rained heavily here on the Hants/Dorset border. Not in the forecast at all, but the smell outside is fantastic.

 

[Bald Rick]

On the day of peak temperatures in the 2019 heatwave, it clouded over in London in the afternoon from the south. I assume the cloud did not reach Cambridge until the evening, hence why Cambridge instead of somewhere in or near London has the current UK temperature record.

yes - I was a few miles from Cambridge on that day, and it was blue sky all afternoon. And very, very hot.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

It's just rained heavily here on the Hants/Dorset border. Not in the forecast at all, but the smell outside is fantastic.

Just had a 5 minutes intense shower in Epsom; clear skies again now.

 

[MikeWM]

Gravesend has had the hottest temperature of particular heatwaves, and holds the October temperature record of 29.9C from 2011. It was also where I was born, so when it's been the hottest I have felt a bit of pride.

I was doing a Kent Rover that day and remember it well. I take holidays in spring/autumn because I don't like heat, so being in the hottest place on the hottest ever October day was really quite irritating!

yes - I was a few miles from Cambridge on that day, and it was blue sky all afternoon. And very, very hot.

Yes, I was working in Cambridge that day too, and we managed to avoid any cloud until the hottest part of the afternoon has passed (between 3 and 4, if I remember correctly). We got some cloud and rumbling distant thunder around 6 or 7 (I was sitting on Cambridge station at that point trying to go home, and hoping for a decent storm, but we didn't get one).

A shame I don't like heat really, as it seems to follow me around :-/

Currently however, the hottest place on Tuesday looks likely to be somewhere in Yorkshire - Doncaster or York look the most likely candidates right now. Which really isn't where I would have guessed as a likely candidate for getting the hottest temperature ever. Will be interesting to see if the models have got that right.

 

[Ascotroyal]

Just had 15 minutes of rain in Ascot. Temperture isnt too bad atm. 19c. Thankfully i have air con in my office at workand hopefully the air con on our shop floor is working. It has been playing up the last few weeks.

 

[MikeWM]

BBC Weather now showing 43 for Ely on Tuesday!



I don't think it will get quite to that, but fascinating to see nevertheless. Never thought I'd see a forecast temperature that high in the UK. I can't find anywhere that is hotter - Cambridge is also forecast 43, everywhere else seems 'only' 41 or less.

(The Met Office are saying 38. I suspect the final answer will be somewhere inbetween).

 

[TwoYellas]

Currently very hot in Burminum at the minute. Windows wide open, can't sleep - luckily ain't got work tomorrow. Watching fascinating interview on YouTube with Dr N. Chomsky on mind, language and consciousness.

 

[ChrisC]

BBC Weather now showing 43 for Ely on Tuesday!

View attachment 117839

I don't think it will get quite to that, but fascinating to see nevertheless. Never thought I'd see a forecast temperature that high in the UK. I can't find anywhere that is hotter - Cambridge is also forecast 43, everywhere else seems 'only' 41 or less.

(The Met Office are saying 38. I suspect the final answer will be somewhere inbetween).

The BBC weather app is also forecasting 43 for Sheffield on Tuesday.

 

[MikeWM]

The BBC weather app is also forecasting 43 for Sheffield on Tuesday.

So it is!

In both these cases though, it is either picking up on a very localised effect (unlikely), or the algorithm generating this is not quite right - for both Cambridge/Ely and Sheffield, the 43 is isolated and everywhere else nearby is 'only' 41 or less.

 

[yorksrob]

Wakefield was warm, but not ridiculous yesterday. Will be interesting to see if today produces anything interesting

 

[adc82140]

It was a lovely cool night last night after that heavy shower, with the windows wide open, but suddenly the air temperature has started to rise. We're sitting at 21 at the moment.