UK Could Face 40°C Heatwaves Within 10 Years, Expert Warns

Experts have warned that heatwaves in the UK could be much, much hotter in the years to come.

Researchers say that within the next 10 years, temperatures in Great Britain could reach 40°C for the very first time.

The record high for the UK is currently 38.7°C, which was recorded in Cambridge in July 2019.

But speaking to The Sunday Times, Reading University's Chloe Brimicombe, a heatwave hazards researcher, warned that this could soon be broken.

She said: "Southern England could see its first 40°C day within the next ten years.

"Most of our rail network would not be able to run in those sorts of temperatures.

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"We would see increased pressure on water resources, productivity would be reduced, and it could affect our livestock and our crops."

This warning comes after Northern Ireland recorded its hottest day since records began.

On 17 July this year, the mercury hit 31.2°C (88.1F) in Ballywatticock, County Down.

It broke the previous record of 30.8°C, which was first reached on 30 July 1976, and again on 12 July 1983.

The Met Office announced the news on Twitter, writing: "Today is provisionally the hottest day ever recorded in Northern Ireland.

"Ballywatticock in County Down reached 31.2°C at 15.40.

"Previously, 30.8°C was the highest temperature recorded in Northern Ireland, reached on July 12 1983 and June 30 1976."

It got so hot in parts of the UK recently that roads even started melting.

England reported its hottest day of the year on 20 July, as temperatures at Heathrow clocked in at a painful 32.2°C.

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Meanwhile, in Doddiscombsleigh, near Devon, the heat rose to 31.1°C - enough for the roads to begin to bubble and melt.

And the Met Office believes more warm weather could continue in the coming weeks, with yet another heatwave set to strike these isles between 2 and 16 August.

The body explained: "By early August, warmer and drier-than-average conditions look likely to return for much of the UK, although there is an increased risk of thunderstorms, especially in the southeast.

"Above-average temperatures continue to be signalled for much of the period, perhaps becoming very warm or hot at times in the south."

Topics: Science, Weather, World News, Summer, climate change, Northern Ireland, temperature

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

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