Cornwall is bracing for rising temperatures in the coming days, with the Met Office predicting a heatwave will hit parts of the county with temperatures expected to exceed 25C.
The forecaster said the heatwave threshold is reached “when an area records a period of at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures at or above the heatwave temperature threshold”. Cornwall has a heatwave threshold of 25C which is expected to be reached from tomorrow (Monday 29 July) until Wednesday (31 July).
Locally, Truro is expected to see maximum temperatures of 25C tomorrow and Tuesday before the mercury rises to 26C on Wednesday. Conditions will then cool down over the weekend and into the week.
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Looe is also set to experience a heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 28C on Tuesday. The town will see temperatures reach 25C tomorrow and 27C on Wednesday.
Other areas such as Falmouth, Newquay and Penzance will not meet the heatwave criteria but can expect sunny weather and temperatures between 20 and 25°C.
The Met Office said: “Heatwaves are more common in summer when high pressure systems develop over an area. High pressure systems move slowly and can persist over an area for a prolonged period, such as days or weeks.
“These phenomena can occur in the UK due to the position of the jet stream, which is usually over the north of the country in summer. This can allow high pressure to develop over the UK, leading to persistent dry and settled weather.”
Met Office 5 day forecast for the South West
Today: Fog will lift early and give way to low clouds before clearing by mid-morning. Then a beautiful day with lots of sunshine and some fair weather clouds. It will be much warmer than yesterday with light winds. Maximum temperature of 25°C.
This evening: Pleasantly warm and sunny evening, and dry night with long clear periods. Some pockets of mist forming in the countryside. Not as cool as last night. Minimum temperature 11 °C.
Monday: Another very warm day with plenty of sunshine, although the sky could become a little cloudier in the afternoon, with the sun potentially becoming hazier. Sea breezes are developing but winds remain light. Maximum temperature 27°C.
Forecast for Tuesday to Thursday: The weather will remain generally fine and stable at first with hazy sunshine at times. It will be very warm to hot with winds that will remain light. Risk of thunderstorms on Wednesday and Thursday.
