The UK is set to experience hot weather with temperatures reaching 24°C as fire services continue to issue warnings about increasing wildfires nationwide.
The Met Office predicts that temperatures will soar on Friday in London and the southeast of England, potentially marking the warmest day of the year thus far, with Thursday’s temperatures reaching 23°C.
Forecaster Dan Stroud commented, “Typically, at this time of year, we see averages around 13°C, so temperatures will be about 10°C higher than usual on Friday.”
He explained that the current high-pressure system in the UK acts like a barrier, preventing fronts and clouds from intruding, which results in stable and dry weather.
According to the Met Office, England experienced its sixth driest March on record due to historically low rainfall, while Wales recorded its fourth driest since records started in 1836. The warmest day recorded so far this year was 4 April, with temperatures peaking at 23.7°C in Otterbourne, Hampshire.
Firefighters are actively battling significant wildfires in Northern Ireland, and the Scottish fire and rescue service has issued “extreme” wildfire warnings for Thursday across regions including south-west, eastern, central, and northern Scotland.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has also cautioned residents against barbecuing. LFB assistant commissioner Thomas Goodall noted that the wildfire risk in the capital is “elevated” due to low rainfall. The brigade reported a 48% rise in call-outs last weekend compared to the same time last year.
A total of 286 wildfires have affected the UK this year, surpassing the 100 additional incidents from the same timeframe in 2022, which itself saw record temperatures and unprecedented wildfire activity.
The National Fire Chiefs Council indicated on Saturday that a “long-term and sustained investment” is necessary to address the climate crisis and the “increased demand” on its services.
Goodall remarked, “A small number of the recent fires are suspected to have been deliberately set. What may appear to be harmless fun can escalate into something much more severe, especially under the current weather conditions.”
He urged parents to ensure their children comprehend fire safety to protect open spaces during the Easter holidays and requested that London residents take precautions to avoid unintentionally igniting fires.
He stated, “We recognize that many people will want to enjoy the pleasant weather as the weekend approaches. However, we’re asking Londoners to act responsibly to minimize the risk of fires starting in the first place.”
