The UK is bracing for an exceptionally warm Friday, with temperatures expected to reach as high as 24 degrees Celsius – marking what could be the warmest day of the year thus far.
According to the Met Office, a persistent area of high pressure is dominating the nation’s weather patterns, delivering sunshine and significantly above-average temperatures. “High pressure currently remains in charge of the UK’s weather, bringing plenty of sunshine and above average temperatures for the time of year,” stated the Met Office.
Forecaster Dan Stroud explained that Friday’s warmth will be approximately 10 degrees Celsius higher than the usual seasonal average. He described the high-pressure system as a “force field,” effectively shielding Britain from approaching weather fronts and maintaining dry, settled conditions.
However, this spell of warm weather has triggered heightened concerns about wildfires. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) is urging caution amongst residents, advising against barbecues and other activities that could spark fires, especially given the limited rainfall.
The current situation follows a concerning trend; fire and rescue services are reporting an unprecedented number of incidents.
- National Resilience data reveals 286 wildfire incidents between January 1st and April 4th.
- This represents over 100 more incidents compared to the same period in 2022, a year previously considered record-breaking.
Firefighters are currently battling significant blazes in Northern Ireland, while Scotland’s Fire and Rescue Service has issued “extreme” wildfire alerts.
LFB Assistant Commissioner Thomas Goodall emphasized the escalating risk: “The risk of wildfires in London is heightened, and this threat increases with each day without rainfall.” He also noted that some recent fires are suspected to have been started deliberately, cautioning that seemingly minor actions can quickly escalate into serious situations. “What might seem like harmless fun has the ability to turn into something much more serious, particularly given current weather conditions.”
The LFB witnessed a 48% surge in call-outs last weekend compared to the same period last year.
Adding to the concern, the National Fire Chiefs Council recently called for “long-term and sustained investment” to address the challenges posed by the climate crisis and meet the increasing demand on fire services.
Tomorrow’s forecast anticipates temperatures surpassing those recorded earlier this month, when Otterbourne, Hampshire, experienced a high of 23.7 degrees Celsius – marking it as the warmest day up until now.
