The Met Office has predicted that temperatures could reach 35C in parts of the UK by the end of this week, but a dramatic plunge is expected later in July, with 25 counties likely to see temperatures fall below 10C.
Heatwave Peak and Sudden Drop
According to the Met Office, the hottest conditions are anticipated on Thursday and Friday, when the mercury could hit 35C in some areas. However, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model indicates a sharp nosedive towards the end of the month. Highs of just 17C are predicted in south-east England on 20 July, rising to 20C the following day. By 22 July, temperatures in south-east England could fall to 14C, while parts of Scotland might see a chilly 7C.
Counties Affected
The ECMWF charts show that 25 counties could experience temperatures below 10C, all located in Scotland or northern England. The Scottish counties include Caithness, Sutherland, Ross-shire and Cromartyshire, Inverness-shire, Nairnshire, Morayshire, Banffshire, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Perthshire, Kinross-shire, Clackmannanshire, Argyllshire, Stirlingshire, Dunbarton, Lanarkshire, Dumfriesshire, West Lothian, Midlothian, East Lothian, Peeblesshire, Selkirkshire, and Roxburghshire. The English counties are Northumberland and Cumbria.
This Week's Forecast
Before the cold snap, the Met Office says Brits are set for a scorching heatwave this week. Wednesday is expected to bring another hot day across England, Wales, and eastern Scotland, while Northern Ireland and south-west Scotland will see more overcast conditions. Looking to the weekend, the Met Office states: "Remaining warm and sunny across much of England and Wales, though turning breezier. Sunny spells emerging in the far northwest as cloud moves southwards into other areas of Scotland."
The BBC's weather team echoes this outlook: "Friday through Sunday will see plenty of sunshine and increasingly hot conditions for much of the UK. Western Scotland and occasionally some west facing coasts will often stay cloudier with some light rain or drizzle. A chance of thundery showers developing on Friday. Cooler on east coasts on the weekend under a keen easterly breeze."
