The UK is bracing for another blistering heatwave towards the end of next week, with temperatures predicted to rocket as high as 39C in certain areas. The heatwave, expected on Thursday (August 13), will impact most of the nation, with peaks above at least 27C for England while Scotland will experience highs of 21C, Northern Ireland 22C, and Wales 27C.
Forecast Highlights
Fresh weather charts reveal parts of Britain will bake in temperatures approaching 40C, with a surge of volcanic red blanketing vast swathes of the Midlands and the south. WXCharts anticipate Birmingham will be the hottest, reaching 39C, while the West Midlands (Derby) and London will experience peaks of 38C.
Conditions remain exceptionally warm nationwide, with temperatures ranging between 35C and 37C in the East Midlands (Lincoln, Nottingham) and the southeast (Brighton, Canterbury), while Yorkshire (Scarborough, York) and East Anglia (Cambridge, Peterborough) will register between 31C and 36C, reports the Mirror.
Regional Breakdown
Across the northwest (Manchester, Carlisle and Liverpool) temperatures will hover around 26C and 30C, and the northeast (Newcastle) will see approximately 30C. Wales (Conwy and Cardiff) will register peaks of 27C and 25C, while Scotland remains cooler - with highs of 23C to 27C across south and east Scotland (Edinburgh, Dumfries, Aberdeen and Inverness) and lows of 17C and 22C in the northwest (Fort William and Oban), which will be the chilliest region nationwide.
Northern Ireland will also range between 23C and 27C. The Met's deputy chief forecaster, Mike Silverstone, stated: "Temperatures will climb through the weekend and, more significantly, through much of next week. After a brief dip on Monday, high pressure will move across the UK before settling to the east, allowing a southerly flow to develop. A fairly widespread heatwave is likely across large parts of England and Wales, with hot conditions developing in places."
Peak Heat and Humidity
The heat is expected to peak for much of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland on Wednesday, with up to 34C possible in parts of central and southern England and southeast Wales. East Anglia and south-east England, however, could see temperatures even higher on Thursday. Humidity levels are also expected to increase through the week, which may make conditions feel more uncomfortable, particularly overnight.
The development is part of a record-breaking summer that's already delivered four distinct heatwaves. In a major milestone, Surrey hit 33.5C, taking the UK to its 20th day this year at 32C or higher. This year's summer has smashed the previous record of 19 days set back in 1995. There is some brief respite first, with a cooler, more changeable period and rain forecast in places.
Climate Context
New data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service shows Western Europe has just endured its hottest June on record, averaging 20.74C across day and night - more than 3C above the long-term norm. Experts say the impacts go beyond sweaty nights and packed beaches. Despite a wet winter, the extreme heat has driven what's being described as a "new type" of drought - with intense evaporative demand sucking moisture out of rivers, reservoirs and farmland.
The hottest regions on August 13 are expected to be Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, with the West Midlands, London, East Midlands, East Anglia, and Southeast also experiencing extreme heat.
