2021 British Isles heatwave explained

2021 United Kingdom and Ireland heat wave
Start Date:15 July 2021
End Date:25 July 2021
Areas:British Isles
Highest Temp C:32.2
Highest Temp Location:Heathrow Airport, London
Highest Temp Date:21 July 2021

The 2021 Britain and Ireland heat wave was a period of unusually hot weather in July 2021 that led to record-breaking temperatures in the UK and Ireland.

On 19 July, the Met Office issued its first ever extreme heat warning for parts of the UK.[1] [2] Temperatures soared across the United Kingdom over a weekend which saw all four nations record the hottest day of the year.[3] [4] On 17 July, temperatures reached 31.2C in County Down, Northern Ireland.[5] On 18 July, temperatures reached 31.6C at Heathrow Airport, London and 30.2C in Cardiff, Wales.[6] [7]

In the Republic of Ireland, Met Éireann issued its first ever Status Orange high temperature warning for six counties on 20 July,[8] after temperatures reached 29.5C in Athenry, County Galway on 17 July.[9]

On 21 July, temperatures reached 32.2C at Heathrow, London.[10] In Ireland, temperatures reached 30.8C at Mount Dillon, County Roscommon. In Northern Ireland a new record for maximum temperature was set, with 31.3C was reached at Castlederg, County Tyrone.[11]

Despite the extreme weather warning, the 2021 July heatwave was relatively mild in comparison to heatwaves in the UK and Ireland of previous and subsequent years, with heatwaves in previous years surpassing the maximum temperature of this heatwave, particularly in the south east.[12] [13] [14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: UK weather warnings - Met Office. Met Office. 19 July 2021. 20 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210719222318/https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2021-07-20&id=1d72be9d-b78d-43c1-bf94-aa376b441b0f&details. 19 July 2021. dead.
  2. News: Met Office issues first UK extreme heat warning. BBC News. Katie. Wright. 19 July 2021. 20 July 2021.
  3. News: In pictures: UK soaks up sun as heatwave set to continue. BBC News. 19 July 2021. 20 July 2021.
  4. News: Officially the hottest day of the year: Met Eireann reveals the spot where mercury smashed through 29.5C. Irish Independent. Amy. Blaney. Alan. O'Keeffe. 17 July 2021. 20 July 2021.
  5. News: Hottest NI day ever as temperatures soar above 30C. BBC News. Geoff. Maskell. 17 July 2021. 21 July 2021.
  6. News: UK weather: Heatwave to continue after England and Wales see hottest day of the year so far. Sky News. 18 July 2021. 20 July 2021.
  7. News: UK sees hottest day of 2021 so far as temperatures soar to 31.6C. https://web.archive.org/web/20210718170625/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-heatwave-hottest-day-record-b1886202.html . 2021-07-18 . limited . live. The Independent. 18 July 2021. 20 July 2021.
  8. News: First ever Status Orange high temperature warning issued as midnight temps could hit 26°C. Irish Examiner. Cianan. Brennan. Michelle. McGlynn. Vivienne. Clarke. 20 July 2021. 21 July 2021.
  9. News: Hottest day of the year as temperatures reach 29.5C. RTÉ News and Current Affairs. 17 July 2021. 20 July 2021.
  10. News: No respite from heat but thunderstorm and floods threat for some areas of England. Bristol Post. Brett. Gibbons. 21 July 2021. 21 July 2021.
  11. News: Hottest day of year as temperature of 31.3C recorded in Northern Ireland. RTÉ News and Current Affairs. 21 July 2021. 21 July 2021.
  12. Web site: Climate summaries – Met Office. Met Office. 2 August 2021.
  13. Web site: New official highest temperature in UK confirmed. Met Office. 29 July 2019. 2 August 2021.
  14. Web site: August heat-wave. Met Office. 6 August 2020. 2 August 2021.

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