Britain Braces for August Heatwave as Temperatures Climb
Fifteen English counties anticipate 30C highs, with southern regions peaking at 31C this Friday.
Carla Rooney
Britain prepares for a significant August heatwave, with forecasters indicating temperatures could reach 38C, marking the hottest day of the year.
High pressure systems establish dry conditions across southern England, maintaining a prolonged period of elevated temperatures. Winds remain light to moderate, with occasional fresh gusts near northern coasts.
Light rain falls in Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland on Monday, then clears, offering a brief reprieve.
Beyond the immediate forecast, high levels of UV are expected throughout the week, driven by strong July sunshine.
Settled, warm conditions continue into the beginning of next week, extending the period of elevated temperatures.
Temperatures in parts of the UK will hit 30C, with widespread heat indicated across the nation.
Volcanic red weather maps show fifteen counties across England expecting to reach 30C.
Maps show parts of Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire, and the Home Counties all reaching 30C.
The remainder of the country will experience similarly high temperatures, creating a national heat event.
This year has already set a new record with eight days reaching or exceeding 34C, surpassing records from 1976 and 2020.
The hottest day last month occurred on June 26 in Lingford, Norfolk, where temperatures hit 37.7C.
Three August 'Mediterranean meltdowns' are on the way, with heat roaring in directly from the Mediterranean.
Three August 'Mediterranean meltdowns' are on the way, with heat roaring in directly from the Mediterranean.
A scorching 38C could be on the cards by the start of August, extending the extreme heat into the new month.
The GFS weather model shows staggering highs of 41C in the east of England on August 1, including a chunk of the country from Sussex up to Lincolnshire.
This model also projects London could see 40C on August 1, with highs of 38C in the Midlands and 37C in Yorkshire.
Parts of Wales close to the English border could see 31C or 32C on August 1, the GFS weather model suggests.
Temperature anomaly maps for August 31 show England and Wales shaded in deep red and black, indicating temperatures well above the seasonal average.
Temperatures will very likely remain above normal further into August, with additional hot spells, particularly for the South.
A high chance of largely above-average temperatures exists during late July and August, with further heatwaves possible.
Despite the heat, some parts of the UK, particularly the North and East, will experience showers and unsettled weather next week.
Temperatures are forecast to drop to the mid-teens by next Wednesday in Scotland and northern England.
Conditions will be coolest in Scotland, averaging in the low twenties, while Northern England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will see temperatures in excess of 25C in large parts.