UK heatwave delivers exceptional sunshine and persistent 30C temperatures

UK heatwave delivers exceptional sunshine and persistent 30C temperaturesImage source, BBC WeatherWatchers / Peter and LeahByDarren BettLead Weather PresenterPublished2 minutes agoCommentsSome parts of the UK have had double their average July monthly sunshine in less than two weeks, as the heatwave continues.The increased sunshine has mainly been seen in parts of southern and south-west England and comes alongside 10 days of temperatures in excess of 30C (86F).The heat has swept the length and breadth of the UK from the south of England to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is forecast to intensify and develop more widely this week and even though temperatures may fall over the weekend, the sunny skies look set to continue.How sunny has it been?It has already been a very sunny month and some parts of the England have had almost twice as much sunshine as normal including Yeovilton in Somerset and Odiham in Hampshire. They have each clocked up about 152 hours of sunshine in the first 13 days of the month.This is all because of persistent high pressure over the UK where air tends to sink and inhibits cloud formation.Recent mornings have been cloudy in some areas. The cloud inland gets burned off by the strong sunshine at this time of year but cloud can linger near North Sea coasts.July has also been very dry. Parts of England have recorded 0% of the rainfall they would normally expect so far in the month. Wisley in Surrey has gone 27 consecutive days without any at all. Rainfall in Wales and Northern Ireland is also far below average.More than eight million households in England are now living under hosepipe bans while the ongoing dry weather means a continued risk of wildfires.Heatwave intensifiesImage caption, Hotter weather is more likely away from North Sea coastsThe peak of the third heatwave this year was on Thursday 9 July and Friday 10 July when temperatures reached 35C. Even though temperatures have fallen a little since then, some parts of the UK have...