The Met Office has indicated that the UK could face another heatwave next week, with weather models now suggesting Britain may experience its hottest day ever. The GFS weather model forecasts temperatures could reach 41C in parts of the country, surpassing the current all-time record of 40.3C set during the July 2022 heatwave.
Forecast Details
Met Office forecaster Neil Armstrong stated that this week should remain “pleasant” for most, with temperatures expected to stay in the low to mid-20s. This follows a record-breaking heatwave last week that brought the warmest June day ever at 37.7C.
GFS model maps for next Monday show highs of 35C to 36C possible across much of southern, eastern, and central England at around 6pm. Highs of 33C are forecast as far north as Yorkshire, with 31C in South Wales.
Potential Record-Breaking Temperatures
Temperatures could surge to unprecedented levels next Tuesday. The maps indicate highs of 40C and 41C from Yorkshire down to London and across the east of the country. Conditions should cool off on Wednesday, with temperatures peaking at 35C in the south-east, according to the GFS model.
Temperature anomaly maps for next Tuesday show the UK shaded in red and black, indicating temperatures well above the seasonal average. The GFS model suggests as many as 17 counties could see temperatures of 40C or more, all in England.
Counties at Risk
The counties facing potential 40C or more include: Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Surrey, and Kent.
Met Office Outlook
The Met Office has stated that a return to heatwave conditions is looking “increasingly likely” as we head into next week. However, the national weather agency notes that the chance of “extreme high temperatures” like those seen last week remains low.
Met Office forecaster Tony Wisson said: “The forecast for this weekend suggests that temperatures could approach high 20s across parts of England, perhaps 30C in parts of the southeast, with values of mid to high 20s in Wales. Although a return to heatwave conditions is looking increasingly likely for some areas, the likelihood of such extreme high temperatures or high levels of humidity as last week is currently low.”
