UK heatwave delivers exceptional sunshine and persistent 30C temperatures

Image source, BBC WeatherWatchers / Peter and Leah By Darren Bett Lead Weather Presenter Published 2 minutes ago Some parts of the UK have had double their average July monthly sunshine in less than two weeks, as the heatwave continues. The increased sunshine has mainly been seen in parts of southern and south-west England and comes alongside 10 days of temperatures in excess of 30C (86F). The heat has swept the length and breadth of the UK from the south of England to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is forecast to intensify and develop more widely this week and even though temperatures may fall over the weekend, the sunny skies look set to continue. How sunny has it been? It has already been a very sunny month and some parts of the England have had almost twice as much sunshine as normal including Yeovilton in Somerset and Odiham in Hampshire. They have each clocked up about 152 hours of sunshine in the first 13 days of the month. This is all because of persistent high pressure over the UK where air tends to sink and inhibits cloud formation. Recent mornings have been cloudy in some areas. The cloud inland gets burned off by the strong sunshine at this time of year but cloud can linger near North Sea coasts. July has also been very dry . Parts of England have recorded 0% of the rainfall they would normally expect so far in the month. Wisley in Surrey has gone 27 consecutive days without any at all. Rainfall in Wales and Northern Ireland is also far below average. More than eight million households in England are now living under hosepipe bans while the ongoing dry weather means a continued risk of wildfires . Heatwave intensifies Image caption, Hotter weather is more likely away from North Sea coasts The peak of the third heatwave this year was on Thursday 9 July and Friday 10 July when temperatures reached 35C. Even though temperatures have fallen a little since then, some parts of the UK have still persistently reached 30C. On Tuesday, the UK recorded 10 consecutive days of temperatures hitting 30C or more in some areas. Teddington, Richmond upon Thames, Kew Gardens and Heathrow, in London, are among the areas that exceeded 30C. The very noticeable east to north-easterly wind has pushed the highest temperatures further west in recent days. But as the wind eases the heat will spread more widely and temperatures are forecast to rise higher this week. The heatwave threshold is likely to be met in Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England again. Briefly cooler weekend Image caption, Cooler northerly wind over this weekend Temperatures are unlikely to reach 30C this weekend with a more general slight fall in the highs across the UK expected. Maximum daytime temperatures will range from 22C in Scotland and Northern Ireland to 28C in southern England - still warm for the time of year though. A change is due to a northerly wind as the area of high pressure shifts position. But it could only be a brief cool down because high pressure is