For the first time, September experienced six days with temperatures exceeding 30C.
According to the Met Office, Saturday has been declared as the hottest day of the year so far, with a scorching temperature of 32.7C recorded in Heathrow, west London.
The UK has experienced an unprecedented five consecutive days of temperatures surpassing 30C in September, a record that is expected to extend for one more day before cooling down next week.
Not only will the daytime temperatures be high, but it will also stay uncomfortably warm throughout the night, with a minimum temperature of 24C. Wisley, Surrey had previously set a new record for the highest temperature of the year on Thursday, reaching 32.6C.
The amber heat health alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency indicates that the health service will likely experience weather-related effects, posing a higher risk to individuals over 65 years old or those with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
In the meantime, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has released a warning about air pollution, marking the first one since June. He is urging residents of London to avoid idling their engines and refrain from burning wood or garden waste. Mr. Khan emphasized that on Saturday, in addition to the current high temperatures, there will also be elevated levels of air pollution. The mayor stressed the potential danger posed by the combination of pollution and heat and urged Londoners to take care of themselves by following his recommendations.
It is of utmost importance to prioritize this, as it safeguards the wellbeing of the most vulnerable individuals and contributes to the creation of a safer and more environmentally friendly London for everyone.
According to the Met Office, London is expected to experience scorching temperatures of 31C on Sunday, followed by a drop to 25C on Monday, signaling the conclusion of an unprecedented week of heat.
Thunderstorms and downpours are possible across the UK. The Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Paul Gundersen, stated that while most of the UK will experience high temperatures and sunny weather on Saturday, there is a chance of thunderstorms.
As a result, a Yellow Warning has been issued for central England and parts of east Wales. Temperatures will start to decrease from Saturday in the far northwest of Scotland, as a cold front moves south throughout the weekend. This front brings the risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms on Sunday. However, the southeast will retain high temperatures for longer and could still reach 32C on Sunday.