'Heat burst': If you slept badly last night, this could be why

'Heat burst': If you slept badly last night, this could be why

Some parts of Lincolnshire saw a temporary spike of 10C at around 10.20pm, meaning temperatures in the evening reached 32C.


Lightning strikes as a thunder storm passes over houses in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The UK is expected to edge towards its hottest ever July day, with the mercury due to soar above 30C (86F).
Image: A heat burst is caused by a storm collapsing
For many people, trying to get to sleep last night will have been nearly impossible.
The UK saw its second warmest day on record on Thursday, with temperatures as high as 38.1C (100.5F) in Cambridge, with other areas not far off.
And making things worse, last night saw a rare phenomenon, known as a "heat burst", that caused a spike in temperatures in the evening.
Some parts of Lincolnshire, England's second largest county, saw a temporary rise of 10C at around 10.20pm, meaning temperatures briefly reached an uncomfortable 32C (89.6F).
The Met Office said the heat burst was due to a thunderstorm collapsing in the skies above the county, quickly bringing hot air down to the surface.
They added: "Tonight's event is likely to be an example of a heat burst, a rare atmospheric phenomenon characterised by gusty winds along with a rapid increase in temperature and decrease in dew point (moisture)".
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A graph released by the meteorologists showed that heat began rising at Donna Nook, a coastal area in the county, at around 10pm. Within a few minutes, the temperature had peaked, before falling again shortly thereafter.
The temperature rose by 10C in a matter of minutes. Pic: Met Office
Image: The temperature rose by 10C in a matter of minutes. Pic: Met Office
Many on social media said it was noticeably hotter at a time when it should be getting cooler, with one user saying "the temperature shift was very noticeable and uncomfortable."
The heat burst came after Thursday's high temperatures caused travel chaos across the country, with commuters being left stranded as trains came to a standstill and roads began to melt.
Police even had to be called to a lido in south London after more than 500 people had tried to get in, causing the pool to shut its doors for the day.
Ten tips for surviving night-time heat

Ten tips for surviving night-time heat

Freezing pyjamas is just one way to ensure a good night's sleep.
Temperatures on Friday are cooler and many parts of the UK have already seen rain, with the country set to cool down over the next few days.
However, some of the travel disruption is expected to continue.
kings cross station
Image: Commuters were left stranded after travel chaos
The Met Office said: "[Friday will be] another hot day in the far east, otherwise a fresher day with outbreaks of thundery rain across northern, central and eastern areas. Sunny spells in the west with isolated showers.
"[The weekend will be] humid in the north and east with heavy, thundery rain through the weekend. Elsewhere sunnier and fresher. Fewer showers by Monday, but perhaps turning wet in the South West later."