New weather maps from WX Charts show a blistering 32C furnace sweeping in from Europe on Friday, July 31, turning Britain's weather maps blood red. The mercury is forecast to hit 30C or above in at least ten major towns and cities across England, with the East of England bearing the brunt.
Hottest Areas: London, Ipswich, Norwich at 32C
By late afternoon, London, Ipswich, and Norwich will see temperatures spike to a roasting 32C. Cambridge, Northampton, Guildford, Peterborough, and Luton will experience an uncomfortable 31C. Reading and King's Lynn round out the top ten at 30C. Even by midday, the capital will already be at 31C, while Essex and parts of Yorkshire bake in 30C heat.
Wider UK Heat: High-20s Across the Board
The Midlands and Yorkshire brace for 29C, Bristol hits 27C, and the South Coast reaches 26C. Exeter will see 25C, while Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle enjoy a warm 24C. Only Cornwall escapes with cooler conditions at 20C. The rest of the nation still faces a sweat-fest with high-20s forecast.
Historic Context: 2026 Shatters Records
This upcoming furnace follows an already historic hot spell. Met Office data shows average UK temperatures running 1.8C above normal, with England suffering the worst at 2.4C above average and Wales 2.2C higher. Met Office Science Manager Amy Doherty revealed that 2026 has already delivered more days above 30C than the legendary summer of 1976 and became the first year to smash 35C in May, June, and July.
Doherty said: "What stands out most is that the warmth hasn't been confined to the daytime, with overnight temperatures tracking at record levels for this stage of the season. The high humidity so far this summer has also been unusual, making conditions particularly uncomfortable."
Full List of 10 Hottest Areas on July 31
- London – 32C
- Ipswich – 32C
- Norwich – 32C
- Cambridge – 31C
- Northampton – 31C
- Peterborough – 31C
- Guildford – 31C
- Luton – 31C
- Reading – 30C
- King's Lynn – 30C
