August heatwave: London set to hit 35C this week in ‘prolonged’ UK hot spell

The heatwave is expected to peak on Friday and Saturday with temperatures hitting the mid-30s

A second summer heatwave hitting London this week was predicted on Monday to get even hotter with temperatures rising to 35C — as a burst water main flooded streets in north London.

The hot spell is expected to peak on Friday and Saturday. Forecasters say the heatwave will be more prolonged than the one that hit much of the UK last month, although temperatures are not expected to reach the extreme highs which saw a record-breaking 40.2C recorded at Heathrow on July 19.

While the capital continues to be gripped by drought-like conditions, part of north London suffered flooding chaos earlier due to a burst water main.

Several roads in Hornsey were closed as firefighters tackled the flooding, which was up to four-feet high in places.

London Fire Brigade were called around 7am to the corner of Hornsey Road and Tollington Road after a 36-inch water main burst.

Sunrise above London skyline as second heatwave is predicted for parts of the country, Richmond Park, London
The sun rises behind the London skyline on Monday as a second heatwave was building over much of southern England
REUTERS

The Tollington Arms pub posted a video showing cars driving through deep water outside while firefighters were seen coming to the aid of affected residents. Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were at the scene. People have been urged not to host barbecues in the dry conditions after a spate of grass fires, including one at the weekend which damaged more than a dozen homes in Chelmsford, Essex.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said around 40 people were forced to flee as the fire raged.

Area manager Neil Fenwick said: “While summer weather usually provides the perfect opportunity to host a barbecue or gather around a chiminea in the evening, we’re strongly discouraging people from having any kinds of fires at the moment.

“The ground across Essex is extremely dry, allowing fires to spread easily and quickly.”

The fire service also warned against setting off fireworks or sky lanterns, which could spark a “large-scale” blaze in parched areas.

Water main
The scene in Hornsey after a burst water main flooded streets on Monday morning
Jeremy Selwyn

About 70 firefighters tackled the blaze on Hereford Road where trees and undergrowth were on fire.

Station Commander Tamer Ozdemir, who was at the scene, said: “Firefighters worked incredibly hard in hot, arduous conditions to stop the blaze spreading to nearby properties.”

The cause of the fire was unknown. The whole of England and Wales is likely to experience increasingly hot weather over the coming week as high pressure builds across the UK.

Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to a fire on Hereford Road in Feltham
handout via LFB

Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: “It will be a lot of sunshine for a vast majority of the UK and also temperatures rising day after day.

“Not everyone will initially see those sunny conditions, but towards the end of the week even Scotland and Northern Ireland will join the rest of the UK in having... sunny and hot conditions.

“It does look like a prolonged period of dry weather and obviously that’s bad news for southern England where some rain would really be useful now.”

Environment Secretary George Eustice on Sunday called on water companies to impose hosepipe bans to conserve water.

He said some water firms have already “rightly” taken action to mitigate the effects of the prolonged dry weather as he encouraged others to follow suit.

A hosepipe ban has already come into force in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, with one covering Kent and Sussex starting this Friday.

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