With temperatures having reached an all-time high in the past couple of weeks here in the UK, experts are now warning that this is just the beginning. That's right, more excruciatingly hot weather is on its way!
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Record breaking heatwaves
In fact, scientists are saying that in the years to come, heatwaves in the UK could break all records and rise to as high as 40°C. Currently, the record high is 38.7°C, which took place in Cambridge in July 2019.
Heatwave hazard researcher from Reading University, Chloe Brimicombe, believes that these dangerous new highs could be coming in, in as little as the next decade. She explains:
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.
Before adding:
We would see increased pressure on water resources, productivity would be reduced, and it could affect our livestock and our crops.
Northern Ireland on fire
The warning comes after Northern Ireland saw its hottest day ever recorded (31.2°C) on 17 July of this year. The previous record, which was first recorded on 30 July 1976 was 30.8°C and was later recorded a second time on 12 July 1983.
After announcing the news of the hottest temperature ever to have been observed in Northern Ireland, the Met Office also revealed that potentially-hotter weather was to come 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.
And added:
Above-average temperatures continue to be signalled for much of the period, perhaps becoming very warm or hot at times in the south.
