First ever 40C observed in UK
An extreme heatwave sweeping across western Europe has just caused the UK to register its first 40ºC on record.
Earlier on Tuesday, July 19, we reported that the Met Office had observed overnight minimum temperatures above 25ºC in parts of England. These provisional observations smashed the UK’s previous minimum temperature record of 23.9ºC from Brighton on August 3, 1990.
ðŸŒ¡ï¸ The UK has provisionally seen the highest daily minimum temperature on record âš ï¸
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 19, 2022
Temperatures didn't fall below 25°C in places, exceeding the previous highest daily minimum record of 23.9°C, recorded in Brighton on 3rd August 1990#heatwave #heatwave2022 pic.twitter.com/kwt1VB07OZ
This exceptionally warm start to Tuesday helped temperatures soar to previously unheard-of heights later in the day.
By 10am on Tuesday local time, Heathrow Airport had already hit 34.5ºC. It then jumped to 36.6ºC at 11am and 38.8ºC at midday.
The highest temperature observed in England as of midday on Tuesday was 39.1ºC at the village of Charlwood, located to the south of London. At the time, this was provisionally the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK.
However, this new record didn't last long, with Heathrow jumping to 40.2ºC at 12:50pm local time. This iss provisionally the first time 40ºC had ever been officially observed in the UK.
Tuesday's highest temperature was 40.3ºC at Coningsby, which is provisionally the new maximum temperature record for the UK.
Prior to this heatwave, the highest temperature on record in the UK was 38.7ºC at the Cambridge Botanic Garden on July 25, 2019. But on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, this old record was exceeded by 34 seperate weather stations, including London Heathrow.
Here are the highest temperatures across the country today 👇
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 19, 2022
At least 34 sites have exceeded the UK's previous national record of 38.7°C 🌡ï¸#heatwave2022 #heatwave pic.twitter.com/QwwfzLWZpc
Tuesday’s unprecedented heat in the UK follows other extremely high temperatures in other parts of western Europe earlier this week and late last week, including France, Spain and Portugal.
Looking ahead, record-challenging heat could spread to other parts of Europe in the coming days and nights as the intensely hot air mass spreads towards the east.