Temperatures in Greater Manchester are forecast to plunge as low as 10C in the coming days, according to Met Office weather maps. The drop follows a period of extreme heat and drought across much of England.
Drought and Record Heat
More than half of England has officially entered a drought after weeks of little to no rainfall and extreme temperatures. The Met Office reported that this year so far has seen seven days where temperatures surpassed 35C, breaking the previous record of five days set in 1976 and matched in 2020.
After the week's temperature peaked on Wednesday, July 29, the Met Office said a change was on the way, bringing possibly 'chilly' conditions over the weekend.
Weekend Forecast
From Friday, July 31, temperatures are expected to be much closer to average across most of the UK, and even slightly below average for northern Scotland. Saturday, August 1, will have a chilly start for many, but there will be lots of dry weather with some sunny spells, although one or two showers are possible.
Mark Sidaway, Deputy Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, said: “The forecast is showing potential for more rain than much of the UK has experienced over the last few weeks. However, it looks as though amounts of rain for many will be fairly modest, and wont balance out the shortfall that we have recorded this summer. It’s still possible that some areas of the south will miss out and see little or no rainfall.”
Met Office weather maps show temperatures in Greater Manchester reaching as low as 10C over the weekend. At 4am on Sunday, August 2, Rochdale and Bolton are forecast to drop to 10C, while Manchester will reach lows of 11C. Despite the chilly start, both Rochdale and Bolton are set to reach highs of 18C on Saturday and 22C on Sunday, while Manchester will see highs of 19C and 24C.
Wildfire Risk Remains
Although some rainfall is expected over the weekend and through the coming week, particularly over Scotland and Northern Ireland, wildfire conditions are forecast to remain elevated over much of England and Wales. A National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) spokesperson urged caution, saying: “Fire and rescue services have already faced significant pressure this summer, responding to wildfire incidents during prolonged spells of warm and dry conditions. With the potential for further hot weather ahead, services remain prepared and ready to respond.
“While firefighters will always be there when they are needed, the vast majority of wildfires are preventable. That's why we're asking everyone to do their bit, take extra care and be aware of the increased risk.
“It only takes one spark to start a wildfire, and what may appear to be a small fire can quickly escalate, threatening communities, wildlife, natural habitats and the firefighters tackling the incident.
“Simple actions can make a real difference. Avoid using disposable barbecues in parks, the countryside and other open spaces, never discard cigarettes on the ground, and always take litter home. By taking these simple precautions, everyone can play a part in preventing wildfires and protecting our communities and environment.”
