The latest weather maps indicate that the UK is set to experience another heatwave, with temperatures potentially reaching 36C in parts of the country by Wednesday, August 12. The WXCharts maps, issued by Metdesk, show a broad area of intense heat across southern and eastern England, with 14 counties forecast to see temperatures of 35C or above.
Counties Forecast for 35C+ Highs
According to the WXCharts, the counties expected to reach 35C or higher include Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Leicestershire, Kent, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Sussex, and Suffolk. The warmest conditions are likely in the east, with Cambridgeshire and Norfolk highlighted as particularly hot spots.
Temperatures are widely expected to exceed 30C across parts of the Midlands and northern England as well. However, Scotland and Northern Ireland are forecast to remain noticeably cooler, with many areas staying in the low to mid-20s. Wales will also see dry and sunny conditions, but with cooler temperatures, around 26C or 27C in areas like Swansea.
Current Conditions and Warnings
Monday saw a high of 33.5C recorded by the Met Office in Wisley, Surrey. Rain is expected on Wednesday and Thursday, with the heaviest falls across Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland. A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms is in place across Angus, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, and Highland. The Met Office warns: "Slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms may cause some disruption."
Impact on Farming and Food Prices
The prolonged heat and drought have raised concerns about food prices and potential shortages. Tom Bradshaw, president of the National Farmers' Union, has called on ministers to support the building of reservoirs on farms. He said: "Water security is food security and food security is part of our national security."
Parched conditions have forced many arable farmers to bring forward their wheat harvest by several weeks, in some cases the earliest in at least 20 years, impacting yields.
