2021 British Isles heatwaves
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The 2021 Britain and Ireland heatwaves was a period of unusually hot weather in 2021, with heatwaves in July and September. The July heatwave that led to record-breaking temperatures in the UK and Ireland. Temperatures soared across the United Kingdom over a weekend which saw all four nations record the hottest day of the year.[1][2] The two heatwaves contributed to the death of more than 1,600 people in England, most of whom were 65 years or over.[3]
Background
[edit]The Met Office, the UK's national weather and climate service, introduced extreme heatwarnings in June 2021 due to a greatly increased chance of extreme heat events. The warnings are intended to help people and organisations prepare for the health and infrastructure impacts of extreme heat. There were 2,256 excess deaths during summer heatwaves in England in 2021. At that point, it was the highest figure on record.[4]
July heatwave
[edit]| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 15-25 July 2021 |
| Heat event | |
| Max temp | 32.2 °C (90.0 °F), recorded at Heathrow Airport, London on 21 July 2021 |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 915 (England) |
| Areas affected | British Isles |
Events
[edit]On 17 July, temperatures reached 31.2 °C (88.2 °F) in County Down, Northern Ireland.[5] On 18 July, temperatures reached 31.6 °C (88.9 °F) at Heathrow Airport, London and 30.2 °C (86.4 °F) in Cardiff, Wales.[6][7] On 19 July, the Met Office issued its first ever extreme heat warning for parts of the UK.[8][9]
In the Republic of Ireland, Met Éireann issued its first ever Status Orange high temperature warning for six counties on 20 July,[10] after temperatures reached 29.5 °C (85.1 °F) in Athenry, County Galway on 17 July.[11]
On 21 July, temperatures reached 32.2 °C (90.0 °F) at Heathrow, London.[12] In Ireland, temperatures reached 30.8 °C (87.4 °F) at Mount Dillon, County Roscommon. In Northern Ireland a new record for maximum temperature was set, with 31.3 °C (88.3 °F) was reached at Castlederg, County Tyrone.[13]
Despite the extreme weather warning, the 2021 July heatwave was relatively mild in comparison to heatwaves in the UK and Ireland of previous and subsequent years, with heatwaves in previous years surpassing the maximum temperature of this heatwave, particularly in the south east.[14][15][16]
Impact
[edit]Health
[edit]The heatwave contributed to the death of more than 900 people in England, most of whom were 65 years or over.[17] The Welsh Ambulance Service experienced a 30% increase in the number of calls for life-threatening incidents.[18]
Infrastructure
[edit]The surface of roads including the A396 and B3224 melted during the heatwave.[19] In London, the mayor launched a network to help the public find areas to find free access to cool spaces.[20] The scheme continued running in later years.[21]
Environmental
[edit]Thousands of fish in a pool in Somerset died during the heatwave; it was thought that the heat caused low levels of oxygen in the water.[22]
September heatwave
[edit]| Heat event | |
| Overall effects | |
|---|---|
| Fatalities | 719 (England) |
The September heatwave broke the record for consecutive days in September with the temperature reaching 30 °C (86 °F) or above.[23] The night of 7 to 8 September saw Wales break a 72-year-old record for the warmest September night: Aberporth on the Ceredigion Coast Path recorded an overnight low of 20.5 °C (68.9 °F).[24]
Impact
[edit]Health
[edit]The heatwave contributed to the death of more than 700 people in England, most of whom were 65 years or over.[17]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ↑ "In pictures: UK soaks up sun as heatwave set to continue". BBC News. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ↑ Blaney, Amy; O'Keeffe, Alan (17 July 2021). "Officially the hottest day of the year: Met Eireann reveals the spot where mercury smashed through 29.5C". Irish Independent. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ↑ "Heat mortality monitoring report: 2021". GOV.UK. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
- ↑ "Why the Met Office is launching a new extreme heat warning". Met Office. Archived from the original on 24 October 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- ↑ Maskell, Geoff (17 July 2021). "Hottest NI day ever as temperatures soar above 30C". BBC News. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ↑ "UK weather: Heatwave to continue after England and Wales see hottest day of the year so far". Sky News. 18 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ↑ "UK sees hottest day of 2021 so far as temperatures soar to 31.6C". The Independent. 18 July 2021. Archived from the original on 18 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ↑ "UK weather warnings - Met Office". Met Office. 19 July 2021. Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ↑ Wright, Katie (19 July 2021). "Met Office issues first UK extreme heat warning". BBC News. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ↑ Brennan, Cianan; McGlynn, Michelle; Clarke, Vivienne (20 July 2021). "First ever Status Orange high temperature warning issued as midnight temps could hit 26°C". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ↑ "Hottest day of the year as temperatures reach 29.5C". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. 17 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ↑ Gibbons, Brett (21 July 2021). "No respite from heat but thunderstorm and floods threat for some areas of England". Bristol Post. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ↑ "Hottest day of year as temperature of 31.3C recorded in Northern Ireland". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. 21 July 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ↑ "Climate summaries – Met Office". Met Office. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- ↑ "New official highest temperature in UK confirmed". Met Office. 29 July 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- ↑ "August heat-wave" (PDF). Met Office. 6 August 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- 1 2 "Heat mortality monitoring report: 2021". GOV.UK. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
- ↑ "Heatwave: People 'walking into A&E with life-threatening conditions'". BBC News. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- ↑ "Somerset roads melt as heat wave continues". BBC News. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- ↑ Waywell, Chris (19 July 2021). "There's a network of 'Cool Spaces' across London for the heatwave". Time Out London. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
- ↑ Hayes, ByLeyla; Gregory, Julia (29 May 2026). "Map shows free places to cool down in London". BBC News. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
- ↑ "Heatwave: thousands of dead fish in Bridgwater pond". BBC News. 21 July 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
- ↑ Gregory, James (7 September 2023). "September heatwave sets new record". BBC News. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- ↑ "Weather: Wales sees hottest September night on record". BBC News. 8 September 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2026.