Weather expert names exact temperature 'most Brits' find too hot - and we're well above it

A weather expert has revealed the temperature that is the "tipping point" for most Brits as a heatwave is set to roast the nation starting tomorrow (Thursday). According to the Met Office, boiling conditions will meet heatwave criteria for large parts of the UK at the end of this week, and new maps from WXCharts show temperatures climbing to as high as34C by Saturday.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow Heat Health Alerts covering parts of central and southern England, valid from today until Monday. Weather expert and author Jim Dale told the Express the sweltering temperatures over the next five days could mean some people are "heading for trouble" in terms of health impacts.

He said: "Not everyone has the same threshold, and remember the temperatures you see are shade temperatures without humidity. Add in sunshine and higher humidities and anything over 27C in the shade will be a tipping point for some.

"I normally think of 30C as being a fair marker for more widespread impacts on health, plus 34C and we're heading for real trouble especially If not taking appropriate cooling measures"

Mr Dale, who has authored several books on weather, including "Weather or Not? The Personal and Commercial Impacts of Weather and Climate," said studies had shown that excess heat-related deaths in Europe hit the 160,000 mark between 2022 and 2024.

He said: "That's the tip of an iceberg, depending on these how things are recorded globally.

"We're going into a heatwave, it will be declared a heatwave, there will be health warnings, and they will progressively higher level warnings the further south you go.

"We're not looking at 40C, but we are looking at the 30s, 31, 32, 33 and 34, and it will be across England and Wales. The further north you go the cooler it gets, Scotland not necessarily joining the throng, but it will be very nice.

"The high temperatures won't just be London, it will also be out towards Bristol and further up into the Midlands."

New maps from WXCharts appear to show peak temperatures hitting by around 6pm on Saturday with most of England seeing temperatures between 30 and 34C. Scotland, Wales and Norther Ireland will also likely see conditions in the mid to late 20s.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Jason Kelly, said: "High pressure from the Atlantic will lead to a build in temperatures over the coming days, with heatwave criteria reached by the weekend.

"Whilst temperatures are expected to build day on day, becoming widely hot, they are unlikely to surpass those recorded at the start of the month. This heatwave is expected to be longer lived and extend further north and west into a larger part of the UK than previously seen this summer.

Today:

Often cloudy with patchy drizzle across parts of northwest Scotland. Elsewhere, it will be mostly dry with plenty of strong sunshine. Some cloud at times, with a risk of an isolated shower developing across the southwest during the afternoon.

Tonight:

Remaining cloudy across northwest Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland, with some patchy drizzle. Dry elsewhere with clear spells and a few fog patches developing in the west. Feeling warm.

Thursday:

Cloudy in the north and west, with patchy drizzle at first. Dry for most, with sunny spells. Temperatures widely above average, becoming hot across parts of England and Wales.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday:

Cloudy and breezy in the northwest on Friday; otherwise, dry with plenty of sunshine. Becoming very warm or hot through the period with some uncomfortable warm nights by the weekend.