Weather maps from forecaster WXCharts show that the UK is set for another scorching heatwave, with temperatures reaching 38°C in several parts of the country next week. The hottest day is currently projected to be Wednesday, July 8, with the highest temperatures expected in London, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.
Areas Affected by the Heatwave
The heat will be most intense in southern and eastern England, but hot temperatures are also forecast for Wales, northern counties, and western areas such as Cornwall and Devon. According to WXCharts, a considerable number of counties will turn red on the maps, indicating temperatures between 30°C and 38°C. The affected English counties include Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Dorset, Wiltshire, West Sussex, East Sussex, Greater London, Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Bristol, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Rutland, Derbyshire, Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, East Riding of Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire. In Wales, the affected areas include Monmouthshire, Cardiff, Swansea, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Powys, Wrexham, Denbighshire, and Flintshire.
Comparison with Previous Heatwave
This new heatwave follows a record-breaking June heatwave, during which temperatures neared 40°C in parts of the country for three consecutive days. Many Brits struggled to stay comfortable, keep hydrated, and sleep at night. Current cooler temperatures are providing relief, but they are not expected to last long.
Forecast Details
Temperatures are expected to exceed 30°C on Tuesday, July 7, and will get hotter from there. The Met Office forecast for the period between Sunday, July 5 and Tuesday, July 14 predicts high pressure dominating across England and Wales, leading to dry and warm conditions with plenty of sunshine. Scotland and Northern Ireland will likely see more cloud with periods of rain, mainly affecting western Scotland. Through next week, the high pressure may extend northwards, bringing 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. Temperatures will rise through the early part of the period, becoming very warm or hot in parts of the south and east.
Regional Breakdown
According to WXCharts, conditions in Scotland and Northern Ireland will be in the low to mid-20s Celsius, significantly cooler than the rest of the UK. The hottest counties will be in the south and east of England, with temperatures reaching 38°C.
