Burgers, beers and ice creams are flying off the shelves as Brits soak up the hottest day of the year so far – as they celebrate the sunny weather with barbecues and trips to the beach.
As many as 150,000 packs of burgers are predicted to be flogged by Tesco alone – as they prepare to sell 450,000 packs of sausages and 150,000 packs of assorted barbeque meats as punters party under the sun.
But their celebrations may be short-lived as thunderstorms are set to strike Britain from tomorrow, with ‘danger to life’ warnings over flooding following a day where the mercury has hit 32C (90F).
Brits did not let this dampen their spirits today, however, as they flocked en-masse to fill beaches, parks and rivers with summer joy.
Families headed to the River Cam in Cambridge to cool off as they made the most of the hot weather to go punting along the picturesque Backs in the historic university city.
Brits flocked en-masse to fill beaches, parks and rivers with summer joy. Pictured: West Bay in Dorset
At West Bay beach in Dorset sun-seekers splashed into the summer holidays as they donned their best bathing suits for a day by the sea
Children and adults alike set off in rubber rings to enjoy the sun by the sea at West Bay, Dorset
Families headed to the River Cam in Cambridge to cool off as they made the most of the hot weather
Students and families enjoyed the weather by going punting along the picturesque Backs in the historic university city
Some hid under umbrellas as they attempted to avoid the worst of the sun’s heat, with others taking shelter under hats
By St Paul’s Cathedral in central London city-goers sprawled in the heat, resting their heads on the cool grass.
And at West Bay beach in Dorset sun-seekers splashed into the summer holidays as they donned their best bathing suits for a day by the sea.
In Plymouth, holiday-goers enjoyed the cool release of the iconic Tinside Lido and families left the North East villiage of Cullercoats looking like California as they pakced the beaches with families.
One bather was even pictured jumping off rocks into the cool water at the tiny bay, which is a hidden gem for beach lovers, just 20 minutes from Newcastle.
And as they partied through the heat supermarkets warned that Brits are preparing to stock up to barbecue through the season.
As many as two million ice creams and lollies are set to be devoured – a number only matched by the number of tinnies set to be cleaned up from Tesco’s shelves.
Brits are also set to devour nearly 1.5million bottles of wine, 500,000 packs of rolls and baguettes, 250,000 iceberg lettuces and 750,000 million punnets of strawberries.
The warning advises of the chances of ‘isolated flooding and disruption’ for the South East between 12pm and 11.59pm on Wednesday.
By St Paul’s Cathedral in central London city-goers sprawled in the heat, resting their heads on the cool grass
People enjoy the warm weather in Festival Gardens at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London
A group of friends don their shades as they sunbathe next to a cool bit of water next to the historic church
In Plymouth, holiday-goers enjoyed the cool release of the iconic Tinside Lido
Stunning aerial photos show families packing out the water spot as they cool off from the sun
The families relish the sun the day before thunderstorms are set to strike parts of the UK
People walking around the city in Londonuse umbrella to protect themselves from the sun
It states that spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures, with a ‘small chance’ that some communities could be cut off by flooded roads.
It also warns of a ‘slight chance’ of power cuts for homes and businesses.
The advisory adds: ‘There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.’
A similar warning of thunderstorms and disruption has also been issued for an area stretching from the South East up to Manchester and Newcastle-Upon-Tyne for between 12pm and 11.59pm on Thursday.
The threat of thunderstorms comes after the heat is expected to peak in southern England and Wales on Tuesday.
Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: ‘The warm or even hot weather is continuing for many, with some places in England and Wales likely to meet heatwave criteria in the coming days.
‘Temperatures are likely to peak at around 32C in south-east England on Tuesday and Wednesday, with much of the UK experiencing dry, fine and warm conditions in the first half of the week.
‘There is a chance of some thundery outbreaks for some in the South and East from later on Wednesday, which will be the first signs of the UK’s transition to a more unsettled regime, with warnings issued to highlight potential impacts.’
One bather was even pictured jumping off rocks into the cool water at Cullercoats, which is a hidden gem for beach lovers, just 20 minutes from Newcastle
People cool off at Peterborough Lido in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
The open air pool has drawn families to its waters as they wait to cool off from the sun
Sunbathers strip off in St James’ Park as they enjoy the hot weather as the heatwave continues
A sunbather enjoys the hot weather at St James’s Park in London this afternoon
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow heat health warnings for all areas of England, except the North East and North West, until Friday.
It warned that expected hot weather may have ‘significant impacts’ on the health and social care sector across the South East and London, with minor effects elsewhere.
The Met Office said a warm snap is considered a heatwave if a location records at least three consecutive days with maximum temperatures exceeding a designated value – 25C for most of the UK, rising to 28C in London and its surrounding area, where temperatures are typically higher.
The hottest day of the year so far saw a temperature of 31.9C recorded at St James’s Park in central London on July 19.
The Met Office said up to 50mm (2in) of rain could fall in two hours in the South East tomorrow, with a total of up to 90mm (3.5 inches) expected over a 24-hour period.
People sailing on Bristol Harbour today as the heatwave continues in the UK
People enjoy the warm weather on the beach at Deal in Kent this morning
People sit in the shade beneath a tree during hot weather at St James’s Park in London today
Swimmers cool off at the Sky Pool at Embassy Gardens in London’s Vauxhall this morning
People swim at Peterborough Lido in Cambridgeshire today as the heatwave continues
A Met Office thunderstorm warning in place for tomorrow, running from 12pm until midnight
The Met Office has also issued a thunderstorm warning for Thursday running for the whole day
Met Office chief meteorologist Frank Saunders said large swathes of the UK will feel the heat up to the middle of the week.
‘Temperatures are likely to peak at around 32C in South East England on Tuesday and Wednesday, with much of the UK experiencing dry, fine and warm conditions in the first half of the week,’ he said.
Meanwhile bosses are braced for workers deciding to have the day off with fears of sickness absence soaring again as it did after big England football games at Euro 2024.
Alan Price, chief executive at BrightHR, which monitors absence among over a million employees across 50,000 UK companies, added: ‘We see a significant increase in sickness absence due to hot weather.’
While the warmth will carry on for Wednesday, there is a chance of summer thunderstorms in southern areas – with a warning in place for the South East.
Thursday should develop into a more unsettled day with potentially impactful thunderstorms again. Friday should bring rain, which will move westward.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued yellow heat health warnings for all areas of England, except the North East and North West, until 9am on Friday.
It warned the expected hot weather may have ‘significant impacts’ on the health and social care sector across the south east and London, with minor impact elsewhere.
Conditions are likely to impact the ‘vulnerable’, such as the elderly and those with multiple health conditions.
The Met Office said a warm snap is considered a heatwave if a location records at least three consecutive days with maximum temperatures exceeding a designated value – 25C (77F) for most of the UK, rising to 28C (82F) in London and its surrounding area, where temperatures are typically higher.
The hottest day of the year so far saw a temperature of 31.9C (89.4F) recorded at St James’s Park in London on July 19.
But while many enjoy the heat, Met Office deputy chief meteorologist David Oliver issued a warning for southern areas to prepare for a wild and wet end to the week.
‘There’s a chance of some thundery showers across some southern areas of England on Wednesday, then on Thursday there is a signal for some potentially very heavy thunderstorms to develop,’ he said.
‘There are still details to confirm during this period, but in any event there is a chance of some impacts on each day, especially Thursday.’
A woman goes for an early morning run at Blackheath Common in South East London today
A dog walker out early this morning next to the River Thames in Windsor, Berkshire, today
A hazy view of Windsor Castle across Dorney Common in Berkshire this morning
A spectacular sunrise over the Oxfordshire countryside at Dunsden this morning
The sun rises over a misty Bushy Park in South West London this morning ahead of a hot day
The sun rises in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, this morning at the start of another hot day
He added: ‘The heaviest showers on Thursday could result in 20 to 30mm of rain within an hour, with daily totals possibly reaching as high as 90mm if multiple showers impact the same location. Lightning and hail present additional hazards, with disruption likely for some.
‘This is a developing element of the forecast, so it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest outlook in the coming days.’
The average August rainfall in England is 75mm (2.95 inches) – meaning more than a month’s rain could fall in one day.
Forecasters said in the thunderstorm warnings for tomorrow and Thursday that there could be road closures, train delays and power cuts.
They also said in Thursday’s warning that there is ‘a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded’ and cause ‘a danger to life.’
Toolstation reported its sales of outdoor furniture were up 448 per cent compared to the previous week, while sales of cooling fans had risen 207 per cent.
The DIY and trade retailer also saw sales of watering cans rise 31 per cent, and sales of its garden sprinklers and water sprayers range increase 23 per cent.
Meanwhile, Lakeland said sales of its gas pizza oven had risen 72 per cent, its ice cream maker was up 59 per cent and picnic baskets increased 25 per cent.
Also this week, the London Fire Brigade urged parents and carers to explain the risks of jumping into water and open water swimming to children.
Craig Carter, the LFB’s assistant commissioner for prevention and protection, said: ‘It’s a sad statistic that the risk of drowning in England increases as children reach their teenage years, and that teenage boys are the most likely group to accidentally drown.
‘It can be tempting to cool off from the heat by going for a swim. But despite the heat, waterways are still cold enough to put a person into cold water shock which can affect anybody, no matter their fitness.
The heatwave threshold is met when a location records at least three consecutive days with maximum temperatures exceeding a designated value. This is 25C (77F) for most of the UK, but rises to 28C (82F) in London and its surrounding area, where temperatures are typically higher
The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow heat health alert for the South and East of England, the Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber regions – until 9am on Friday
‘It can cause panic, anxiety, disorientation, and loss of muscular control, which causes a person to gasp for air – inhaling water as a result.’
He urged anyone caught in a dangerous situation to ‘float to live’, which involves tilting your head back and submerging your ears; trying to relax and breathe normally; gently moving your hands to help you stay afloat if you need to; and spread your arms and legs out to improve stability. Once your breathing is under control, you should then call for help or swim to safety.
Mr Carter added that he was urging people not to take disposable barbecues with them to open spaces because they can cause grass fires, especially in hot weather when the ground is dry.
The turnaround in conditions follows a very wet start to July – with East and South East England seeing about a month’s worth of rainfall in just the first week.
And mobile data from the new Virgin Media O2 Business Movers Index revealed a decrease in shopping visits compared to the same time last year – with shopping centre trips down 12 per cent and high street shopping falling 6 per cent.
The firm said this could be a result of only 15 per cent of shoppers being willing to hit the high streets in bad weather. It added that retailers were deploying tactics such as changes to their operations, putting on discounts and hosting special events to get people in.
