The Met Office has warned that the UK could see a return to 'very warm and hot' weather over the coming days and weeks, after temperature records were smashed last week.
Heat records were broken on three consecutive days from Wednesday, reaching a provisional peak of 37.3C in Santon Downham in Suffolk on Friday, and Saturday saw a high of 32.3C in the same location. The last Met Office warning for extreme heat finished at 9am on Sunday as the heatwave came to a close.
Cooler Start to the Week
This week is set to bring cooler temperatures - reaching the high teens or low 20s across most of the UK - with Greater Manchester forecast to see highs of 22C on Tuesday and Friday.
But in the Met Office's long-range forecast for the UK - which covers the period between July 3 and 12 - the weather agency says that we could see a return to 'very warm and hot' conditions over the coming week.
High Pressure to Bring Warmth
The forecast states: "High pressure will dominate across England and Wales over the weekend, bringing dry and warm conditions with plenty of sunshine for most."
"Into the following working week, high pressure remains slow moving over England and Wales, perhaps extending northwards to bring drier and warmer weather to Scotland and Northern Ireland. Winds will be light to moderate for most, though stronger around northern hills and coasts near low pressure systems."
The forecast continues: "Temperatures will rise through the period, perhaps becoming very warm or hot in places."
Potential 29C Next Week
On the Met Office's weather maps, parts of southern England are forecast to reach highs of 29C next week on Monday, July 6.
Looking further ahead at the second half of July, the Met Office has said that high pressure - which brings sun and warm weather - is likely.
"High pressure is more likely than low pressure at the start of this period, bringing a greater chance of settled and drier conditions," the Met Office says.
It continues: "Occasionally this dry and warm weather could be interrupted by outbreaks of rain with stronger winds, this most likely further north if this occurs. As is typical for the time of year, there remains a risk of heavy, thundery showers during any warm spells."
"Towards the end of July there is a slight preference for a continuation of high pressure to dominate, however confidence at this range is naturally low. In any case, temperatures are likely to be above average overall, with a greater than normal chance of hot conditions developing at times."
