London has so far seen three heatwaves this summer – and the Met Office says more “hot spells” are likely. However, heavy rain and lightning brought a sudden end to the sunny weather, with a number of thunderstorm warnings issued across England.
Thankfully, the week of grey skies and unsettled conditions is coming to an end as experts say a “significant change” is heading our way. But, is the capital set for its fourth heatwave of 2025?
Forecasts predict highs of 27C today (July 25), highs of 25C on Saturday and 23C on Sunday. Things will warm up slightly in June’s final days, reaching a peak of 25C – 28C between Monday and Thursday.
Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: “Across the UK we’ve got higher temperatures moving in from the south west and a ridge of high pressure building in at this point [on July 27]. That is going to lead to a significant change once again across the UK as we go into the weekend.
“By Saturday, in the early hours we’ve got showers across Scotland and Northern Ireland. Across much of England there’s plenty of sunshine, feeling warm with temperatures in the low-to-mid 20s.”
The official definition of a heatwave is three recurring days of temperatures exceeding the “threshold” in that part of the country. For London, this is 28C – 3C higher than a majority of the country.
As such, heatwave conditions will not be met over the weekend or next 10 days. That being said – keep your fingers crossed.
McGivern added: “No sign of a heatwave next week – mostly it’s cool, changeable westerly winds. But when we get to August, the signs are that pressure will begin to build a bit more to the west and southwest of the UK, bringing more widespread settled weather and higher temperatures as a result.”
That means it’s not all doom and gloom as long-range forecasts suggest “hot spells” could return in just a few weeks. Between August 6 and 20, the Met Office expects signs of high pressure to the southwest to extend across the UK, bringing dry, settled weather as the month continues.
London 7-day forecast, according to the Met Office
- Friday – H: 27C/L: 17C, Sunny intervals changing to overcast by lunchtime
- Saturday – H: 25C/L: 16C, Sunny intervals changing to overcast by late morning
- Sunday – H: 23C/L: 16C, Sunny intervals changing to cloudy by late morning
- Monday – H: 25C/L: 17C, Sunny intervals changing to partly cloudy by night-time
- Tuesday – H: 27C/L: 17C, Sunny intervals
- Wednesday – H: 28C/L: 17C, Sunny intervals
- Thursday – H: 27C, L: 16C, Sunny intervals changing to partly cloudy by night-time
Looking for more from MyLondon? Subscribe to our daily newsletters here for the latest and greatest updates from across London.
