Dan the Man

That anticyclone is going NO WHERE. Its packed its bags and spending the Summer in the UK and Ireland. Extraordinary spell of weather at the moment.

Slightly off topic, I apologise - I've just been looking at the Met Office's heat health section. Don't usually have to consult this section! What sort of triggers would Level 3 and 4 be? In terms of temps/humidity, general weather conditions tec. Amber — Heatwave action Triggered when the Met Office confirms threshold temperatures for one of more regions have been reached for one day and the following night, and the forecast for the next day has a greater than 90% confidence level that the day threshold temperature will be met. This stage requires social and healthcare services to target specific actions at high-risk groups. Red — National Emergency Reached when a heatwave is so severe and/or prolonged that its effects extend outside the health and social care system. At this level, illness and death may occur among the fit and healthy, and not just in high-risk groups. Definitions a bit ambiguous IMO. We're currently at Level 2 in the SE/Midlands.

We all know what the models are like at times. Its just like the winter in reverse; every time something different (and dramatic) seemed to appear on the horizon it quickly changed. The models automatically go back to the norms way into the future, but high pressure systems are awkward beasts to shift; it wouldn't surprise me if this weather lasted at least until the last Sunday of the month.

Unsurprising the sea temps are still below average after such a long and cold winter. They will soon warm; going in the right direction. I'd expect a warm September and possibly October (relatively).

I noticed that NI almost recorded its highest ever temperature earlier this week - looking at that ECM; possibly exceeding that? Its been a cracking summer for the Irish so far.

How do you define "heatwave thresholds"?

Looking well into FI (around the 20th onwards) when the Azores High regurgitates, there looks to be some big temperatures, possibly far exceeding this spell's high. Possibly looking at low to maybe mid 30s?

So how hot is it going to get then? I predict at the peak of this warm spell - 32.2C.

Just watched Ben Rich's forecast for the week ahead - looks like its setting up to be a heat lovers' dream! That Azores high plonking itself directly over the UK; and just like the winter, that ridge isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Looks like the 1st Test in Nottingham the week after will be fine too.

Looking at the BBC weather website - 55C expected in Death Valley later. Ridiculous!

In the western half of the USA, it is looking like the usual suspects are going to be cooking these weekend. Huge highs well above the 100F benchmark. Phoenix - 48C / 120F Death Valley - 54C / 131F Wowsa! Las Vegas - 47C / 119F Looking at all time high temperatures. (World record: 56.7C / 134F)

Any chance these persistent annoying light showers could magically disappear, so we can get a game on at Edgbaston today!

Heathrow ATC seem to think the orange route is the correct route.

Suddenly, its gone very very dark here. Temperature has dropped although there is no wind. Is IT starting?

Currently around 24C and overcast. Seems to be bubbling up nicely for later. Humidity is high, although it says only 44%, which is much lower than yesterday. Feels far more muggy than that. Looks like I picked the wrong day to stop sniffing glue.

Obviously there's a lot of CAPE nearby - in terms of severity, how is that looking? Got to say we haven't had a 'proper' storm for a fair few years.

Jim Bacon on Look East likes his French Imports!

Just got home from work - blimey its humid out of there! 76% humidity according to weather.com Not exactly that pleasant. Overcast; gloomy and has been for most of the day.

Belgium might not be a bad location to chase!

Well England are 'playing' in Cardiff today in a must win clash against NZ in order to progress in the ICC Champions Trophy. Seen several forecasts over the last few days. A few days ago, today was deluge. Last night it was an improving picture with rain not coming in until later in the day. This morning the weather was largely clear with showers later in the day. But nowcasting shows us that its throwing it down and has been since 10.30 this morning! Total embarrassment that the forecasts can be so wrong.

Almost certainly.

This cannot possibly be right can it? http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=10day;sess=

I've been in Arizona during Spring when its got up to the mid-high 30Cs (mid-high 90Fs). Typically 35-37F each day in April. Humidity very low so was relatively comfortable, but couldn't sunbathe for longer than a hour or so at a time! I was in Cyprus a few years ago when they were breaking all sorts of temperature records - I think one day it got up to 46C - now that was unbearable!

Showing 36C for Amsterdam - that must be close to their record? Edit: the record is 36.8C. I'll believe 32C in London when I see it! It'll probably get scaled down, as per usual, however its still looking good for a warm>hot week ahead.

Edit: Oops, should read the screen properly!