When will the heatwave end? How long is UK hot spell going to last August 2022 - Met Office weather forecast

The UK is once again sweltering under yet another summer heatwave.

Temperatures are expected to rise to 35C and the Met Office have issued a level three heat-health warning due to prolonged high temperatures.

This comes after the UK saw the hottest weather since records began in July, with temperatures soaring to 41C.

Water companies have issued hose pipe bans as the prolonged hot weather impacts water supplies.

People are doing whatever they can to keep cool, from tin foiling their windows to opening their loft hatch.

Here’s everything you need to know about how long this heat wave will last.

How long will the heatwave last?

The heatwave is predicted to last until the weekend, with temperatures reaching the low to mid-30s from Thursday (11 August) before eventually peaking.

Speaking to BBC News, Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan predicted the UK would experience a “fairly widespread heatwave”.

He said: “It does look like a prolonged period of dry weather and obviously that’s bad news for southern England where some rain would really be useful now.”

When did the hot weather start?

The hot weather began on 9 August, with temperatures across the UK slowly picking up to the mid or high-20s.

When will the hot weather end?

The last day of the hot weather is expected to be Sunday 14 August.

Temperatures will dramatically drop on Monday 15 August, with thunder and lightning predicted in some regions of the UK.

When is the Met Office weather warning?

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have issued a heat related weather warning which will be in place from Thursday (11 August) to Saturday (13 August).

The level three heat health alert is the third highest alert available and helps healthcare workers in England prepare for high temperatures.

A level 3 is issued when “the Heat-Health Alert thresholds have been exceeded” and “requires social and healthcare services to target specific actions at high-risk groups”.

The warning will cover much of Southern England, as well as areas of eastern Wales.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at the UKHSA said: “Temperatures will feel very warm again this week, particularly in southern and central parts of the country.

“We want everyone to enjoy the warm weather safely when it arrives, but remember that heat can have a fast impact on health.

“It’s important to ensure that people who are more vulnerable – elderly people who live alone and people with underlying health conditions – are prepared for coping during the hot weather.

“The most important advice is to ensure they stay hydrated, keep cool and take steps to prevent their homes from overheating.”

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Rudman said: “Thanks to persistent high pressure over the UK, temperatures will be rising day-on-day through this week and an Extreme heat warning has been issued.

“Temperatures are expected to peak at 35C on Friday and Saturday, or even an isolated 36C on Saturday. Elsewhere will see temperatures widely into the high 20s and low 30s Celsius.

“Coupled with the high daytime temperatures there will be some warm nights, with temperatures expected not to drop below the low 20s Celsius for some areas in the south.”

What is the Met Office heatwave forecast?

Here is the full Met Office forecast for the heatwave this week.

Tuesday 9 August

Most areas will be fine and dry with plenty of sunshine today and conditions will also be hotter than yesterday in most areas.

Cooler, cloudier and breezy in the very far north of Scotland though, patchy rain here too.

A fine, warm evening for most areas. Conditions then dry with clear skies for most areas overnight, but cloudy and breezy with patchy rain over the far north of Scotland.

Wednesday 10 August

Most areas will be fine and dry with plenty of sunshine, conditions generally a little hotter than yesterday. Cloudier and breezier across the very far north of Scotland where some rain at times, mainly later.

A fine, warm evening for most. Warm with mainly clear skies overnight and probably a few fog patches by dawn. Far north of Scotland staying cloudier with rain at times.

Thursday 11 August

Amber weather warning for heat in force.

Much of England and Wales, plus eastern parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland, sunny and hot or very hot. The far north and northwest of Scotland, cloudier with occasional rain.

A dry, clear and warm night for most. Staying cloudier over the far north of Scotland with occasional, mostly light, rain.

Friday 12 August

Amber weather warning for heat in force.

Another sunny and very hot day for many areas, although cooler on some northeast coasts with patchy mist and cloud developing. Further cloud and some rain in the far north and northwest.

Some low cloud in the north and northeast with a few fog patches developing in east England and Northern Ireland. Otherwise dry and clear for staying warm for many overnight.

Saturday 13

Amber weather warning for heat in force.

Fine and sunny for most with any low cloud and fog clearing quickly during the morning. Hot or very hot with highest temperatures in central and southern England.

Sunday 14 August

Amber weather warning for heat in force.

Dry, sunny and hot in the south Sunday but heavy showers or thunderstorms for parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland.