Temperatures are set to climb again in parts of east Wales, with forecasts showing highs of 28°C on Wednesday. The hottest conditions are expected in Monmouth, while Newport, Chepstow and Wrexham are also likely to be among the warmest places in the country this week.
Forecast Details
Tuesday afternoon should see temperatures reach around 26°C by 4pm, marking the start of a hot spell that is expected to intensify on Wednesday before remaining very warm into next week. Western coastal areas will stay noticeably cooler, generally in the low 20s, while much of mid Wales is forecast to see highs in the mid 20s.
Eastern parts of Wales are expected to bear the brunt of the heat. Although temperatures may ease slightly on Thursday, parts of the east are still forecast to remain at around 24 or 25°C, which could tip the region into heatwave territory.
Heatwave Definition
The Met Office defines a heatwave in Wales as three consecutive days with maximum temperatures of at least 25°C, a threshold that varies across the UK to reflect regional climates. Given the forecast, a heatwave could occur this week, but it would likely be isolated to the east or south east of the country.
Conditions will stay warm from Friday and into the following week, with temperatures expected to return to more typical summer levels of low 20s across much of Wales by around next Wednesday.
Record Heat and Drought
Provisional Met Office data shows July has been 3°C above average across the UK, and with more than a month of summer left, the country has already experienced more days above 30°C than ever before. The prolonged hot, dry weather comes as parts of Wales continue to suffer exceptionally dry conditions following one of the driest Julys on record, raising concerns over drought and wildfire risk.
Firefighters have spent days tackling a major blaze covering about 220 hectares of bracken and gorse at Blaenavon, while North Wales has seen several large moorland fires as drought conditions tighten. The combination of persistent heat, very low rainfall and dry vegetation has prompted repeated warnings from fire services for people to avoid lighting barbecues or campfires in the countryside.
Drought Status Declared
Last week, Natural Resources Wales announced that parts of Wales are now in drought, stating that all of the country is experiencing prolonged dry conditions. NRW said record-low river flows, back-to-back heatwaves and widespread wildfires have prompted the declaration of drought status in north Wales and the Upper Severn, causing problems for fish, wildlife and crops.
