The Met Office has issued an update on the possibility of a heatwave in Cambridgeshire after sweltering temperatures hit the county this week.
According to the Met Office, temperatures of up to 29.8 degrees were recorded in Cambridgeshire yesterday (September 15), and 27.6 degrees on Monday (September 14).
But for a period of hot weather to be technically classed as a heatwave, temperatures need to exceed a certain threshold for three consecutive days.
While this threshold differs from area to area, in Cambridgeshire, the Met Office classifies it as 27 degrees.
So readings today will decide whether the temperatures we’re experiencing do constitute a heatwave, or just a short spell of warm weather.
Speaking about the possibility of a heatwave in Cambridgeshire, a Met Office spokesperson said: “It isn’t likely that Cambridgeshire will meet heatwave thresholds this time.
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“For the county to have a heatwave (according to our definition) we would have to see three days of maximum temperatures of 27.0 C or above.
“Monday saw 27.6 C and yesterday saw 29.8C. However, we are only expecting highs of 24.0 C or 25.0 C. Higher temps are only likely a little further south (London and extreme south east).
“Temperatures are suppressed today because of a cold front advancing southwards across the UK.”
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However, other parts of the country, including parts of southern and south-east England, could still be set to record a heatwave, according to Met Office meteorologist Luke Miall.
Mr Miall said that with temperatures forecast to drop away by Thursday, the potential “localised heatwave” would only be a “three-day event”.
He added that “hot events” could become “slightly more frequent” due to the changing climate with further 30C (86F) conditions in September possible in the future.
-- to www.cambridge-news.co.uk
