# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Flip flops and sun loungers at the ready! The heatwave that baked Britain during the beginning of the month is set to return from this weekend.

The reason why the UK is set to endure more sizzling weather is down a change in air pressure, which is causing temperatures to rise well above average again.

A weak area of high pressure is currently building over the UK, leading to largely dry and settled conditions across much of England and Wales.
But what exactly is high pressure and how does it affect weather in the UK? Scroll down to find out...
What is air pressure?

The Earth's atmosphere exerts a pressure onto the surface which influences the movement of air around our planet.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Brits set to swelter as forecasters predict heatwave could last until August Heat alert issued with temperatures set to rocket above average How hot does it have to be to get a day off work?
This air pressure is divided into two types that are known as high pressure and low pressure.

These two forms of air pressure are what causes radical changes to UK weather on a daily basis - turning what could be a day of mild, sunny spells into a day of rain and snow the next.

How will air pressure affect UK weather this week?

Eleanor Bell, principal meteorologist at The Weather Channel, said the UK is set to heat up this week thanks to a semi-stationary area of high pressure lingering above the country.

She said: "It will be dry with well above normal temperatures under strengthening and semi-stationary high pressure. Winds will be light and it'll remain mostly calm at night.
MORE: Dealing with extreme heat: Tips on how to stay cool and get to sleep in hot weather
"Temperatures will be 5-8C above normal. Highs in the north will be 20-28C, between 25-29C across the south, and reaching 30C in south-east England later in the week.

"Parts of south-west Ireland may also reach 30C on Thursday."

What is the difference between high and low pressure?

In general, areas of low pressure develop clouds and precipitation that lead to unsettled conditions.

While areas of high pressure tend to bring clear, bright and more settled weather conditions.

Areas of high and low pressure are formed by ascending and descending air masses.
MORE: Sun safety tips: How to avoid and treat sunburns and why is UV radiation dangerous?
As air warms, it rises and leads to low pressure on the surface. And as air cools, it falls resulting in high pressure on the surface.

The location of areas of high and low pressure affect the direction of wind, which has a big impact on temperatures.

If winds turn to a westerly or southern airflow, this tends to brings much milder conditions towards the UK.

Whereas, northerly or easterly winds from the Arctic or near continent usually mean tumbling temperatures and significant wind chill.

How does high pressure influence weather in the UK?

In an anticyclone, otherwise known as a high pressure system, the wind is usually light and blows in a clockwise direction - in the northern hemisphere.

When this happens, the air is also descending resulting in clear skies and dry and bright conditions.

Brits are being urged to stay hydrated, seek shade and to wear sunscreen.

The Met Office has issued a yellow health warning for the west and north-east of England, warning of a possible 'danger to life' for people with health conditions or who are elderly.

Hay fever sufferers are also likely to face a week of allergy misery as pollen levels are expected to soar across England, Wales and Northern Ireland throughout the next few days.

Speed limits have been put in place on some railway lines due to worries about the temperature on rail tracks.
SLIDESHOW: Thirteen of the best secret beaches in the UK (PHOTOS)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
uk weather forecast heatwave what is high pressure temperatures rising so high europe sunshine july england london wales

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
UK heatwave: What is high pressure and why are temperatures rising so high? | The Weather Channel

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Flip flops and sun loungers at the ready! The heatwave that baked Britain during the beginning of the month is set to return from this weekend . The reason why the UK is set to endure more sizzling weather is down a change in air pressure, which is causing temperatures to rise well above average again.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Very hot conditions are expected to persist across eastern and southeastern parts of the UK through the working week.
Very hot conditions are expected to persist across eastern and southeastern parts of the UK through the working week
The heatwave of 2018 continues across much of England this week, with temperatures expected to reach the high-20s or low 30s Celsius across the Midlands, southern and eastern England, with 35 or 36 °C possible in a few places as the temperatures peak on Thursday and Friday.

Paul Gundersen, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "The heatwave conditions will continue across much of England through this week, with temperatures possibly into the mid to high 30s Celsius in places on Thursday and Friday and it's possible that we could break the July record of 36.7 °C if conditions all come together.

"More changeable conditions are expected across Northern Ireland and western Scotland with showers or longer spells of rain at times with maximum temperatures nearer normal."

The highest temperature recorded so far this year is 33.3 °C at Santon Downham on 23 July. The highest temperature recorded in 2017 was 34.5° C at Heathrow on 21st June. Prior to this, the most recent heatwave prior to this was in when temperatures peaked at 36.7 °C at Heathrow on 1 July, a temperature that is currently the July all-time maximum record. The in the UK is 38.5° C at Faversham on 10 August 2003.

The dry spell has been most prolonged in East Anglia and Southeast England. Most especially much of East Anglia and Cambridgeshire, extending through Essex into London and also around Bournemouth and Southampton. Parts of the Midlands have also been very dry. The last day of very widespread rainfall for East Anglia and the south-east was 29 May.

Hot weather often brings the risk of showers and thunderstorms and there is a chance of heavy or thundery downpours across eastern parts of England on Friday before the fresher, more changeable conditions in the northwest finally make their way east across the UK later in the week.

Gundersen added: "There is the chance of thunderstorms breaking out over East Anglia on Wednesday, but it is Friday when we see thunderstorms affecting many central and eastern areas.

"These could lead to torrential downpours in places with a much as 30 mm of rainfall in an hour and 60 mm in 3 hours. Large hail and strong, gusty winds are also likely and we have issued a Met Office weather warning highlighting the areas most at risk"

A Level 3 alert has been issued for a large part of England, in association with Public Health England. Our Heat Health Watch Service is designed to help healthcare professionals manage through periods of extreme temperature.

Hot weather, especially when prolonged, with warm nights, can have effects on people's health and on certain infrastructure. To aid preparation and awareness before and during a prolonged hot spell, a heatwave plan has been created by Public Health England in association with the Met Office and other partners. It recommends a series of steps to reduce the risks to health from prolonged exposure to severe heat for:

The NHS, local authorities, social care, and other public agencies

Professionals working with people at risk

Individuals, local communities and voluntary groups

Dr Thomas Waite, Consultant in Health Protection at Public Health England, said: "Temperatures are likely be high in parts of England this week, which may leave older people, young children and those with long-term conditions, including heart and lung diseases, struggling to adapt to the heat. So keep an eye on friends and family who may be at risk.

"To beat the heat, try to keep out the sun from 11am to 3pm, walk in the shade if you can, apply sunscreen and wear a hat if you have to go out in the heat. Also try to carry water with you when travelling."

The hot and sunny weather is also an opportunity for many to enjoy the outdoors. Amanda Bond from Visit Suffolk said, "With Suffolk having seen some of the highest temperatures this week and with the sunshine set to continue, this gives visitors the perfect excuse to get outdoors and experience what the county has to offer. Suffolk is known for its natural beauty, 50 miles of glorious coastline and charming villages and historic towns. Now the schools are out for summer there are many ways to occupy the kids with our fun-filled family visitor attractions such as Africa Alive!, Southwold Pier, West Stow Anglo Saxon Village, RSPB Minsmere and Kentwell Hall, to name a few. Although, sometimes, in a place this rich and beautiful, just being is pleasure enough." For more information, visit www.visitsuffolk.com.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Heatwave continues with temperatures into the mid 30s Celsius

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Very hot conditions are expected to persist across eastern and southeastern parts of the UK through the working week.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
England's extended World Cup run and the summer sunshine gave an unexpected lift to retail sales in July as consumers spent heavily on supermarket food and drink.

Heavy discounting by clothing stores also brought shoppers back to the high street to reverse a decline in sales in June.

The rise in sales will cheer beleaguered shopkeepers, but the underlying weakness in sales on the high street and the switch to online purchases is unlikely to reverse the trend for shop closures and redundancies across the retail sector.

Furniture and household goods sellers saw sales go into reverse as the trend for consumers to avoid buying expensive items for the home continued.

Much of the blame for weak consumer spending has been directed at recent falls in wages growth, which is running at the same rate as inflation. With inflation-busting utility bill increases and mortgage interest starting to rise, households are likely to find they have less money to spend on the high street in the second half of the year.

Quick guide
Trouble on the UK high street
Show Hide

Maplin, Toys R Us and Jacques Vert have all collapsed in recent months, but a raft of retailers and restaurant groups are facing financial problems and are trying to close stores or negotiate rent cuts.

House of Fraser: The department store chain is expected to close about 12 stores after being bought out of administration by Mike Ashley. It had agreed a CVA under which 31 stores were to close, but this lapsed on administration.

Homebase: The DIY chain wants to close at least 42 stores via a CVA organised by new owner Hilco. The restructuring expert bought the DIY chain for £1 from its former Australian owner Wesfarmers who botched an attempt to bring its Bunnings chain to the UK.

Poundworld: The discount retailer has closed all its 355 stores, with the loss of 5,100 jobs after falling into administration in June.

Cau: The owner of the Gaucho and Cau steakhouses fell into administration in July leading to the closure of all 22 Cau restaurants, with loss of 750 jobs. A buyer is being sought for the 16 Gaucho outlets.

Mothercare: The chain is closing 60 of its 137 outlets after agreeing a CVA in May. Additional closures in July mean 900 jobs will be lost.

Carluccio's: The Italian chain secured a CVA to close 30 of its 99 restaurants in late May.

New Look: The fashion chain obtained a CVA in March to cut rents and close 60 stores, with the loss of nearly 1,000 jobs. The rent cuts - on 363 stores - were between 15% and 55%.

Carpetright: The retailer obtained a CVA in April to close 92 of its 409 UK stores in September with the loss of about 300 jobs.

Prezzo: In March the Italian-themed restaurant group secured a CVA to close 94 of its 300 restaurants, with the loss of 500 jobs. Rent cuts were agreed on a further 57 locations.

Jamie's Italian: The chain closed six locations in 2017 and this year agreed a CVA to close about a third of its 35 loss-making outlets.

Byron: The troubled upmarket burger chain is closing up to 20 of its 67 restaurants after a CVA was agreed in January. Rent cuts have been agreed at a number of other locations.

Debenhams: The under-pressure department store chain wants to get rid of space at 30 of its 165 stores by bringing in gyms and other services.

M&S: The high street stalwart wants to close 100 outlets - a third of its main stores - by 2022 as part of a 'radical transformation' plan intended to tackle years of falling sales and profits.

Photograph: Jill Mead

Was this helpful?

Thank you for your feedback.

Retail sales volumes rose by 0.7% last month on the previous month, and were 3.5% higher than a year earlier, above economists' forecasts in a Reuters poll for a 0.2% monthly rise and a 3% annual gain.

Online sales leapt to a new record with a 15.3% increase in July compared with the same month last year. Online sales by department stores also stood out with a 35% annual increase in sales.

A surprise winner over the summer was Kingfisher, the owner of B&Q and Screwfix, which increased sales by 6% at its UK division in the three months to the end of July, according to figures released on Thursday. Sales rose 3.6% at established B&Q stores and 5.5% at Screwfix outlets open for more than a year as the company said sales of weather-related goods including hosepipes and fans soared. The company sold out of paddling pools as families made the most of the long hot summer.

The strong figures come despite fears for the DIY sector as rival Homebase plans to close more than 40 stores and Travis Perkins considers the sale of its Wickes chain.

The Office for National Statistics senior statistician Rhian Murphy said: "Many consumers stayed away from some high street stores in July, but online sales were very strong, supported by several retailers launching promotions. Food sales remained robust as people continued to enjoy the World Cup and the sunshine."

Andrew Wishart, a UK economist at the consultancy Capital Economics, was cautiously optimistic, saying that while consumers were under pressure from weak wage growth, the figures showed retail sales started the third quarter of the year in robust health.

"Of course, retail sales only account for about a third of total household spending, so the strength of spending on the high street could be offset by households reducing their outlay elsewhere," he said.

"That said, annual growth in retail sales and household spending have a reasonable relationship, and retail sales growth of 3.5% year on year in the three months to July is well above growth in consumer spending of just 1.1% in the second quarter."
Topics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
UK heatwave and World Cup boost retail sales

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
England's extended World Cup run and the summer sunshine gave an unexpected lift to retail sales in July as consumers spent heavily on supermarket food and drink. Heavy discounting by clothing stores also brought shoppers back to the high street to reverse a decline in sales in June.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
United Utilities has been issued with drought permits to take additional water from reservoirs in north-west England to maintain supplies.

It can take water from Windermere and Scales boreholes in Cumbria and Delph and Rivington reservoirs in Lancashire.

A hosepipe ban will be enforced if the permits are used before the end of September.

The Environment Agency said the plan would secure supplies for the region in case they are needed later in the year.

United Utilities had planned to bring in a hosepipe ban during the UK heatwave but later announced the need had been averted.

Water levels in the north-west improved slightly following rainfall and efforts to conserve water, the agency said.

'Use water wisely'

However, it warned the region had only seen half of the rainfall normally expected from May to July and current forecasts suggest there may be lower than average rainfall into autumn.

Agency drought manager Jim Ratcliffe said: "As the dry weather is set to continue, there could still be restrictions later in the summer so we continue to urge everyone to use water wisely.

"Our staff will continue to manage demand by working with farmers, businesses and others who abstract water.

"We continue to work with water companies across the country to ensure they are following robust drought plans."

The permits are ready to be implemented if they are needed to ensure water supplies are maintained and the environment is protected.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
United Utilities has been issued with drought permits to take additional water from reservoirs in north-west England to maintain supplies. It can take water from Windermere and Scales boreholes in Cumbria and Delph and Rivington reservoirs in Lancashire. A hosepipe ban will be enforced if the permits are used before the end of September.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The heatwave has continued to reveal details of England's ancient past to archaeologists.

Surveys from the air have revealed Neolithic ceremonial monuments, Iron Age settlements, square burial mounds and a Roman farm for the first time.

Historic England said the weather "provided the perfect conditions" to see the crop marks because of the lack of moisture in the soil.

They include two Neolithic monuments discovered near Milton Keynes.

The long rectangles near Clifton Reynes are thought to be paths or processional ways dating from 3600 to 3000BC, one of the oldest of their type in the country.

Numerous features in a ceremonial landscape near Eynsham, a few miles north-west of Oxford, date from 4000BC to 700BC.

Monuments to the dead, a settlement and a circle of pits can be seen in crop marks on the field in an area that is already protected.

Other finds include:

An Iron Age round settlement at St Ive, Cornwall

A prehistoric settlement with concentric ditches at Lansallos, also in Cornwall

Iron Age square burial mounds or barrows in Pocklington, Yorkshire

A Bronze Age burial mound, a ditch, and series of pits that could mark a land boundary in Scropton, Derbyshire

A settlement or cemetery at Stoke-by-Clare, Suffolk

A Roman farm in a field of grass at Bicton, Devon

Prehistoric farms in Stogumber, Somerset

An ancient enclosure in Churchstanton, also in Somerset

The buried foundations of Tixall Hall in Staffordshire

In each case the remains are revealed as differences in colour or in the height of crops or grass.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: "The discovery of ancient farms, settlements and Neolithic cursus monuments is exciting.

"The exceptional weather has opened up whole areas at once rather than just one or two fields and it has been fascinating to see so many traces of our past graphically revealed."

Historic England uses aerial photography of crop marks to produce archaeological maps to help determine the significance of buried remains.

This can help when making decisions about protecting them from future development or damage caused by ploughing.

Aerial investigation and mapping manager Helen Winton said: "This is the first potential bumper year in what feels like a long time.

"It is very exciting to have hot weather for this long. 2011 was the last time we had an exceptional year when we discovered over 1,500 sites, with most on the claylands of eastern England."

See more pictures on this subject:

Pictures subject to copyright

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The heatwave has continued to reveal details of England's ancient past to archaeologists. Surveys from the air have revealed Neolithic ceremonial monuments, Iron Age settlements, square burial mounds and a Roman farm for the first time. Historic England said the weather "provided the perfect conditions" to see the crop marks because of the lack of moisture in the soil.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Want to know why you've had weeks of sleepless nights? The BBC's Science Editor looks at the cause of our numerous heatwaves.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This summer is set to be one of the hottest - and driest - on record. With no substantial rain since May and temperatures tipping past 30C (86F), a hosepipe ban looms as the heatwave continues to stretch ahead of us in an untypically British manner.

There are, as with most things in life, pros and cons to the hot weather.

Watering can salespeople enjoy a boom in trade, their counterparts in the electric blanket department see a slump. Butterflies bask in the long hot days, unaware of the jeopardy faced by the next generation of caterpillars.

Here are some of the winners and losers of the season.

On the rails

Overcrowded rail services are rarely improved by hot weather, with both practical and personal hurdles to overcome. Heat can buckle tracks and cause delays, while your fellow-traveller's underarm aroma could be escalated by the oven-like atmosphere of the quiet carriage.

On the other hand, business is booming at heritage railways. Chuffing along with the wind (and soot) in your hair while hoping to spot Jenny Agutter waving her red petticoat is something that can be enjoyed in soaring temperatures.

For example, the Severn Valley Railway is expecting bumper numbers this weekend, and has added new dates for its Wizard Express, while Telford Steam Railway is preparing for 500 people to turn up on Sunday.

Shouting "Oh, my daddy! My daddy!" is optional.

Purveyors of outdoor living

Try getting a garden parasol for a reasonable price and you'll be up against it - the cheapest ranges at Ikea, Homebase and B&Q are all low on stock.

Sales of barbecues and paddling pools also soared with the temperatures - so once again there is limited availability.

People in Birmingham who want to get their hot little mitts on an Argos paddling pool will have to travel to Warwick to get one, while those in Bradford would have to go to Clitheroe to get theirs.

Humans aren't the only creatures who should slip-slop-slap.

Cats, especially white ones, should have sun cream put on their ears, and horses' noses are also at risk. Prevent premature pork crackling by applying sunscreen to pet pigs.

Dogs, always eager to go for walks, lollop about and get overexcited, should be exercised in the early morning or late evening when it's a bit cooler for them.

The RSPCA suggests letting them splash about in a paddling pool. The Warwick and Clitheroe branches of Argos should therefore stand by to repel hordes of hot hounds.

Happy holidaymakers

People already booked in for a summer break in the UK have done well - they have the high temperatures of "abroad" without the need to transfer their shampoos and sun creams into 100ml bottles wedged into a freezer bag.

According to the Association of British Travel Agents, two thirds of us have planned a British break for this year.

Patricia Yates, the director of Visit Britain, said the hot weather acts as a "timely reminder" to people who are "making a late call on where to go on holiday".

Many campsites are fully booked but determined searchers will be able to find late-availability pitches.

Those who eschewed Margate for Malaga will not only have to limit their luggage but might find their homebody neighbours have a better tan than them when they return.

Losers.

The very hungry caterpillars

Butterflies may be flitting about having fun in the sun but caterpillars are having a terrible time. The plants they need are wilting, and a lack of food might mean they are unable to pupate and survive over the winter.

A comparison can be made with the long hot summer of 1976 - research by the University of York suggests that summer was the worst extreme event to affect butterflies and moths since detailed records began.

The heat, coupled with a sustained drought, caused numbers to plummet across at least 50 different species which never fully recovered.

Other losers from the hot weather include badgers and hedgehogs, which find it harder to dig up worms as the ground hardens and worms burrow deeper for an easier passage and to find moisture.

And spare a thought for ducks - police from Aylesbury did. They filled two paddling pools for the happy quackers. #Savetheducks.

The Grinch begins early

Christmas trees are unlikely to be on many minds at the moment, but farmers say there could be a price hike this yuletide season.

The heatwave is causing the festive firs to wither and go brown - and some are even dying in the hot weather.

It's the smaller - and therefore cheaper - trees that are the most affected, as older and bigger ones have deeper roots with which to reach water.

People with a pea-ssimistic outlook also warn that Christmas dinner may be affected.

Pea crops are suffering as the plants overexert themselves searching for water and the hot weather kills them before they reach maturity. Marrowfat and split green varieties are the most widely affected, according to the British Edible Pulses Association.

It's swings and roundabouts though - as the weather is proving good for lentil crops. Traditionally grown in India and North Africa, the heatwave has created good growing conditions in the UK this year.

Wildlife winners

Hot weather makes ants more active - bad news for those of us fed up of being nipped by the likes of the already rampant horsefly.

But it's good news for creatures like the green woodpecker, which enjoys an ant or ten on its summer menu.

It's also good weather for lavender farmers, as it is a Mediterranean plant and requires a similar climate to thrive.

The Provence region of France is where most lavender is commercially grown, but this summer the Cotswolds and Kent may be giving it a run for its money.

And lavender sachets at the ready - known for its soporific qualities, it may help you drop off to sleep on these sultry (sweaty) summer nights.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
UK heatwave 2018: The winners and losers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This summer is set to be one of the hottest - and driest - on record. With no substantial rain since May and temperatures tipping past 30C (86F), a hosepipe ban looms as the heatwave continues to stretch ahead of us in an untypically British manner.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How hot is it going to be in the UK this week? | The Weather Channel

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Records could be broken on Thursday and/or Friday