Tuesday 23 July 2013

Weather: Heatwave Hits Peak Before Storms - Sky News

The highest temperature of the year has been recorded, with parts of Britain basking in 33C sunshine.

Southeast England was Monday's hotspot, where the thermometer reached 33.5C (92.3F) at Heathrow and Northolt in London. It was the hottest day since July 20, 2006.

The UK has seen its longest prolonged heatwave in seven years, although temperatures dipped slightly over the weekend.

But Sky News Weather Presenter Isobel Lang said: "The weather is set to break and violent thunderstorms are forecast over the next 48 hours across many parts of Britain and Ireland.

"These thunderstorms could bring around 50mm (2in) of rain in just a few hours leading to some flash flooding."

"Temperatures will ease down to into the mid-20s but it will continue to feel rather warm and humid."

The unsettled weather is expected last for the rest of the week with further heavy showers at times.

West and northwest London were hit by a severe thunderstorm at about 6am on Monday, when 7.4mm of rain fell at Kew Gardens in just an hour, which is more than Kew has received so far this month.

The Met Office has issued a rain warning for Tuesday for most of England and all of Wales, with localised flooding possible in places.

Temperatures will start gradually dropping as the week continues but will remain in the mid-20s, which is still above the average for this time of year.

The hot weather has taken its toll on the UK in recent weeks, with grass fires in London, mountain blazes in the Welsh valleys and forest fires in Fife, Scotland.

Hundreds of premature deaths are believed to have been caused by the hot weather.

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