This week, Somerset is set to experience a significant rise in temperatures, with parts of the UK entering heatwave conditions by the weekend, according to the Met Office.
Temperatures will steadily climb throughout the week. Wednesday is forecast to see the highest temperatures in the UK reach around 27°C. By Thursday, these highs will increase to approximately 29°C, with some areas in Somerset experiencing even hotter conditions.
Met Office maps indicate that Glastonbury could reach 30°C by around 5 pm, while Bath is expected to see temperatures near 28°C. Weston-super-Mare is also predicted to hit 30°C around 3 pm as the mercury rises.
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Friday will continue the trend, with temperatures remaining in the high 20s and touching 30°C in certain locations. However, a cooling trend is expected over the weekend, with temperatures falling back to the low 20s.
Tony Wisson, Deputy Chief Meteorologist, explained the cause of this heat surge: “Several factors are contributing to rising temperatures this week. Settled weather and warm sunshine are allowing temperatures to climb day by day. Additionally, a shift to more southerly winds is bringing warmer air from continental Europe across the UK. We expect several locations to exceed 30°C, marking the hottest temperatures of the year so far.”
Heatwave conditions in the UK are defined by a location experiencing at least three consecutive days with temperatures meeting or exceeding specific thresholds. In much of northern and western UK, this threshold is 25°C, while in Greater London and the Home Counties, it is higher at 28°C.
Wisson added, “By the weekend, many areas could meet or surpass heatwave thresholds. Though the highest temperatures will likely occur in London and eastern England, heatwave conditions may spread to the Midlands, low-lying areas near the Peak District, and even parts of east Wales by Saturday.”
A yellow heat health alert has been issued for the whole of Somerset from 12 pm on Wednesday, June 18th, until 6 pm on Sunday, June 22nd. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warns of potential “significant impacts” on health and social care services during this period.
The UKHSA notes that the surge in temperatures may increase demand on health services, and internal temperatures in care settings such as hospitals and care homes could exceed recommended thresholds for clinical risk.