UK heatwave: 19 counties to roast in 32C August scorcher

New weather maps show the UK will see temperatures exceed 30C in August, with 19 counties set to roast. According to WXCharts.com, large parts of the nation will turn red on August 12 and 13 as high temperatures return across England.

Where the heat will hit

The forecast shows a blast of summer heat sweeping across southern and eastern England, with temperatures climbing beyond 28C across the Midlands, the Home Counties, East Anglia and much of the South. The hottest conditions appear focused on London and the South East, where the map shows highs of around 31C to 32C, with Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Essex and surrounding counties firmly in the firing line.

Met Office outlook

A Met Office long-range forecast for August 8 to August 17 predicted that the UK was unlikely to experience the "exceptional heat" seen in recent months. It said: "Towards mid August, high pressure may become rather more dominant towards the north or northwest of the UK, with lower pressure at times further to the south or east."

—

Wide Pickt banner — collaborative shopping lists app for Telegram, phone mockup with grocery list

The forecast added: "This means there is a greater chance of frontal systems or thundery interludes to affect southern and eastern areas, certainly in comparison to recent weeks, though rainfall amounts could be quite variable with some areas seeing relatively little."

"For the most part, temperatures look to remain above average, especially in the south, though perhaps without the exceptional heat we have seen in recent weeks."

Driest July on record

The conditions come as England and Wales are on track to record their driest July in 190 years, with several English counties receiving less than 1mm of rainfall throughout the entire month. Provisional Met Office figures show southern England has been hit particularly hard, recording just 1.5mm of rain – only 2% of the region's long-term average for July.