Barnet avoids heatwave as temperatures stay below threshold until 16 August
Forecasts show no three consecutive days at 28°C or higher, despite prolonged warm weather
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Barnet will avoid a heatwave this month, despite a prolonged spell of warm weather. The Met Office confirmed that temperatures will not meet the threshold of 28°C for three consecutive days, a requirement for an official heatwave. The BBC’s forecast predicts highs of 28°C on 12, 13 and 16 August, but not in a continuous three-day stretch.
On 3 August, temperatures in Barnet reached 33°C, the highest recorded so far this week. From 4 August, the BBC expects temperatures to range between 23°C and 28°C, with sunny intervals and light winds. The Met Office’s day-by-day forecast, which extends only to 9 August, does not predict three consecutive days at or above 28°C.
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Why the warm spell does not qualify as a heatwave
The Met Office defines a heatwave as three or more consecutive days with temperatures of at least 28°C. While Barnet will see several days at 28°C, the forecast does not show them occurring in a row. The Met Office’s long-range forecast for London states that temperatures will remain above average, but without the extreme heat experienced in recent weeks.
A Met Office spokesperson told MyLondon that the current conditions do not meet the heatwave criteria. The forecast for 12, 13 and 16 August includes highs of 28°C, but the days in between dip below the threshold. This breaks the required streak for an official heatwave declaration.
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What residents can expect in the coming days
From 4 to 9 August, Barnet will experience a mix of sunny intervals and light winds. Highs will range from 23°C on 6 August to 28°C on 12 August. Nighttime temperatures will drop to between 13°C and 18°C, providing some relief from the daytime heat.
The Met Office’s long-range forecast suggests that the warm weather will persist beyond 9 August, though it remains unclear whether temperatures will rise further. Residents are advised to monitor updates, as conditions can shift. The BBC’s forecast extends to 16 August, showing no immediate return to the 30°C-plus temperatures seen earlier this summer.
What happens next
Barnet Council has not issued any specific heatwave guidance, as the conditions do not meet the official threshold. However, residents are encouraged to stay hydrated and check on vulnerable neighbours during the warm spell. The Met Office will continue to update its forecasts, and further alerts may be issued if temperatures rise unexpectedly.
Questions this report answers
+Will Barnet have a heatwave before 16 August?
No. The Met Office requires three consecutive days at 28°C or higher for a heatwave. The BBC forecast shows temperatures reaching 28°C on 12, 13 and 16 August, but not in a continuous three-day stretch, so the threshold will not be met.
+How hot will it get in Barnet this week?
Temperatures will range between 23°C and 28°C until 16 August, according to the BBC. The highest temperature recorded this week was 33°C on 3 August, but no further peaks above 28°C are forecast in the coming days.
+What is the Met Office’s definition of a heatwave?
The Met Office defines a heatwave as three or more consecutive days with temperatures of at least 28°C. Barnet’s forecast does not meet this requirement, as the days at 28°C are not continuous.
+Should residents take any precautions during this warm spell?
Barnet Council has not issued heatwave guidance, but residents are advised to stay hydrated and check on vulnerable neighbours. Temperatures will remain above average, so precautions for warm weather are still recommended.
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