UK heatwave forecast sees temperatures climbing to 30°C

The Met Office has warned that high pressure building across the United Kingdom will bring warm and humid conditions later this week. Forecasters expect temperatures to rise above the seasonal average, reaching the high‑20s and possibly 30°C by Friday, with the south‑east forecast to be the hottest area. London is predicted to hit around 27‑28°C, and some locations could briefly match or exceed temperatures recorded in Los Angeles.

The outlook includes a chance of thunderstorms and showers, particularly in the north‑east on Monday and across western regions from Tuesday onward. The agency noted that the warming trend is driven by a warm plume moving up from continental Europe, and while a full heatwave is not certain, conditions are expected to be “very warm” and humid.

Separately, experts highlighted the health and energy challenges posed by such heat, noting a rise in demand for cooling. In the UK and elsewhere, households are turning to air‑conditioning and other cooling solutions, which can increase electricity use and strain power grids. The surge in cooling demand underscores broader concerns about the impact of increasingly frequent heatwaves on public health and energy infrastructure.