Heatwave Bristol 2022: Met Office weather forecast as Level 3 heat alert issued - how long will it last?

The summer season has finally arrived on British shores, with regions of the United Kingdom having already experienced warmer weather and sunnier skies as of late.

Bristol and the South West region is widely known for the many entertaining events and activities that are much more enjoyable partnered with good weather, such as The Wave and much more.

Bristolian residents will be clinging onto their hopes for these conditions to continue.

Recent forecasts from the Met Office would have raised these hopes, with experts predicting that parts of the country will see the arrival of a heatwave at some point in July this year.

But is this the case in Bristol? Will July see warm temperatures and bluer skies?

What is a heatwave?

The word ‘heatwave’ is thrown around regularly when it comes to weather forecasts across the globe - but what is a heatwave?

According to the Met Office, a heatwave is an extended period of hot weather relative to the expected conditions of the area at that time of the year.

In the United Kingdom, this is the criteria the weather must meet to be considered a heatwave:

• When a location records three consecutive days with a maximum temperature that exceeds the threshold (this varies depending on the county)

For example, Bristol and the surrounding area has a threshold of 26℃.

What is the Met Office weather forecast for the rest of this week?

Weather experts at the Met Office has issued the following weather forecast for the remainder of the week commencing Monday, 11 July 2022:

• Monday, 11 July: sunny for most of the day, cloudy by the afternoon - highs of 29℃
• Tuesday, 12 July: cloudy start to the day, changing to sunny intervals by evening - highs of 27℃
• Wednesday, 13 July: cloudy start to the day, changing to sunny intervals by afternoon - highs of 24℃
• Thursday, 14 July: sunny throughout most of the day, changing to cloudy skies by nighttime - highs of 24℃
• Friday, 15 July: sunny intervals throughout the day with warming temperatures - highs of 25℃
• Saturday, 16 July: sunny for most of the day with warming temperatures, partly cloudy by nighttime - highs of 29℃
• Sunday, 17 July: sunny all day with crystal clear skies and very warm temperatures - highs of 30℃

What is the long range weather forecast for the UK?

The Met Office has issued the following statement regarding the long-range weather forecast for the United Kingdom. This is for the period of Saturday, 9 July until Monday, 18 July.

“Generally fine and dry for southern and eastern parts of the UK to start, as high pressure extends to the southwest, though some showers are still possible” it reads.

“Cloud increases further northwest, with more showers and outbreaks of rain. Warm or very warm with light winds in the south, near-normal temperatures elsewhere, and moderate or fresh winds in the far north.

“It may become more widely settled across the UK for a time further into the period, although some northern areas are likely to continue to see spells of rain or showers at times.

“Temperatures widely above average, especially across the south, with a possibility of very warm or hot spells at times for England and Wales.”