Tuesday 14th July
The varied cloud cover that had arrived from the east on Monday morning took quite a while to burn off before the sun began to shine strongly around 10.00, that eventually raised the temperature to a maximum of 26.7C. This high was the first peak since the 4th that had not reached the heatwave threshold, however, it was still 3.8C above average. A low of 14.8C at 05.15 early Tuesday was 2.8C above average. The notable feature once again was the strength of the northeasterly wind that was very gusty with a peak of 25mph, but frequently almost as strong.
the start to Tuesday was a repeat of Monday morning, only that the cloud cover that had drifted in from the North Sea overnight was complete and dense, resulting in minimal sunshine to lift the temperature. It will take a little longer than on Monday for the cloud to burn back east to reveal the sun.
There is a divergence of opinion between the Met Office and the BBC weather forecast for Wednesday and Thursday. The reason is due the depression to the west of Brittany that could edge closer to southern Britain that might result in showers or even thunderstorms moving north. The forecast pressure charts indicate that a few troughs of low pressure will form on its northern edge that might produce a little rain, or probably less likely at the moment, thunderstorms.
Although the forecast pressure charts indicate that the centre of the anticyclone will slowly relocate southwestwards, it will still dominate our weather up to the weekend with a continuation of the northeasterly breeze, but less strong.
There is also a divergence of opinion on peak temperatures. The Met Office suggest that as temperatures ease downwards, the last of the days when a heat threshold of 27C is reached will be over the weekend and a little lower thereafter. However, The BBC forecast is that the heatwave will continue well into next week. I know my garden would prefer the Met Office forecast, as I would!