A staggering 36.7c was recorded on the Isle of Wight today (Monday) as an intense heatwave grips the UK.
Figures from IW Met Service reveal that the sky-high temperature was experienced in Northwood, near Cowes, late this afternoon.
High readings were seen across the Island with 36c in Havenstreet, 35.8c in Porchfield and 35.8c in Gurnard. Shorwell saw 35.5c.
The coolest place to be was St Catherine’s Point which was a whole 12c cooler.
Island Echo warned of the Level 5 heat warning, with many doubting that the Island would see temperatures reaching 37c. Weather apps and other metrological websites listed the Isle of Wight as having predicted temperatures of around 27c – some 10c less than the actual recorded figure.
Darren Toogood, Editor of Island Echo, has said:
“Once again IW Met Service has come out on top and proven their worth. Many people doubted the predictions of 37c, but today’s recordings show that forecasters locally were spot on as always.
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Jamie Russell of Isle of Wight Met Service has said:
“We must admit we did get the temperatures a little off for the west coast of the island as we were expecting the sea breeze to take the edge off keeping it around 26-28.C, but instead it reached 33.C along the majority of the coastline.
“We saw multiple places breaching the 35.C mark elsewhere, with a few localised spots seeing 36.C including Havenstreet, which is very strong heat trap.
“We didn’t quite hit the 37.C mark, however we did reach 36.7.C in Northwood, but this wasn’t a rogue reading as it was backed up by a private station just 2 streets away that recorded 36.4.C.
“The south coast of the island was a touch warmer than expected with a few spots hitting the 30°C mark, however the east coast was much as expected in the mid 20s, although again this is a fraction higher than expected.
“We have concluded that the higher than expected temperatures in some parts were due to lighter coastal winds than the data was suggesting and in turn we made a forecast based on 8-14mph breezes which were in fact 4-9mph and allowing the temperatures to rise a fair few degrees higher than expected.”
Islanders face a sticky evening with the mercury still sitting at 30c at Brook as of 20:30, although East Cowes is a somewhat more comfortable 25.5c.
Some very dubious figures there, were they taken in correct ‘Stevenson Screen’ conditions ?
I kept an eye on the shade temperature fairly close to Newport’s centre an it struggled to reach 30C
The readings matched the weather models predictions very well, also those readings were corroborated, not only by neighbouring stations but also by our own mobile station.
…..and no they weren’t stevenson screen conditions but they were positioned correctly.
Its a fine example of the localised micro-climate effect that we see very frequently here on the island, and with there being barely any official met office stations here, we have to rely on these type of readings.
With the sea breeze under the tree among high grass it has been lovely.
We had 39.5 on our SEN bus and it’s probably going to be the same today LUDICROUS
Stop whingeing about your free transport – how about you pay for an air con taxi then
The heat must have got to you to make such a crass comment
“Staggering” I.E.? No, not at all. Was out in it all day – wasn’t actually that bad. Should try living in India for some perspective – this is nothing,
Yes, what you’ve written here is indeed staggering.
Yes, i agree, i went to Australia once and it was much hotter !
Not withstanding Stevensons Screens, if I had stood in my front garden yesterday, i would have experienced 45 degrees centigrade.
More cooler weather will be along soon…
Were any of these readings taken from thermometers in a Stevenson screen? If not, their accuracy is very questionable!
The majority of digital stations these days dont need a stevenson screen as they have inbuilt ventilation in and around the sensors, much in the same way a stevenson screen allows for good air flow. The sensor covers are white and the sensor is positioned in the lower part of a slatted unit.
Load of rubbish !! I was out all over the Island, not once did it top 30 degrees.. mostly was 28 degrees.. But I suppose if you blocked out the slight breeze it might have got hotter..
I have to agree with you on this.
I think people are making it up or have thermometers in the wrong place.
scare scare scare ie! if its not with covid its now about weather…really? common sense like any weather issues.
leave off just a bit and let majority enjoy our sun!
What about the old people.
The have more sense than most.
How’s that then ?
They invented GLOBAL WARMING for f’s sake.
Not nice but stay in.feet I cold water. Have a fan.drink water.
Cold Is a bigger killer.Beast from the East took lots of folk.
My car thermometer was very close to BBC app .27 to 31 degrees max.
Was the high temp taken in a car park against a wall in full sun.?
Lots of hysteria here.