Met Office Issues Amber Heat Warning for Parts of UK as Europe Faces 40C Temperatures

The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for extreme heat across the South West, South East, the east of England, and sections of south Wales. The warning will be active from 1am on Monday until the end of Tuesday. Forecasters predict the developing hot spell could lead to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure.

Meteorologist Max Deakin stated that temperatures could potentially reach the mid-thirties next week, following what is anticipated to be a very warm weekend for many.

A heat dome is created when a high pressure area stays over the same area for days or potentially weeks, trapping very warm air underneath it. Because hot air expands, it creates a dome that bulges out. This weather phenomenon causes temperatures to become hotter and hotter, building through the day and rise above what is considered normal.

The ground warms as well and moisture evaporates, making it easier for temperatures to continue to rise. These weather systems and their prolonged heat also increase the risk of wildfire and heat-related health problems, the Royal Meteorological Society said.

Often these pressure systems move east to west.

Large parts of central and northwestern Europe will be covered by these conditions in the coming days, with temperatures expected to reach around 10C above mid-June averages. Spain, France and Italy will see temperatures rise well into the 30Cs, and some areas could exceed 40C.

The UK will see a more varied and complex pattern, as the warm air from Europe attempts to move northwards and contrasts with low pressure in the northwest. Northern and western parts of the UK will likely see repeated spells of rain due to the cooler weather front, while southern and eastern areas will see temperatures rise steadily.