After a record-breaking heatwave last week, meteorologists are already discussing a potential comeback of high temperatures later in July. While it is unlikely that the climate will reach the same levels of humidity and temperature seen in the past few days, some forecasts suggest temperatures could climb back into the low to mid-30s in England and Wales next week.
Current Temperatures and High Pressure Shift
At the moment, temperatures are at a more sobering 20C on average in the UK, while a large area of high pressure, which brought the intense heatwave—also known as a "heat dome"—has shifted further east across Europe. However, by the end of this week, high pressure will gradually move in from the south-west across western Europe and into England and Wales, BBC reports. Temperatures could then rise into the mid to high 20s across the Midlands, eastern and south-east England.
Potential Heatwave Next Week
Into next week, temperatures could rise more widely across England and Wales and enter into an official heatwave. According to a weather map generated by WXCharts, the UK temperatures might climb up to 36C, while Spain might face a 42C scorcher on July 9. However, because forecasters are using different models to make their predictions, which are often updated twice a day, there is a lot of uncertainty about what's ahead, with a range of temperatures to be expected.
Met Office Forecast
Tony Wisson, Met Office deputy chief forecaster, said: "Toward the weekend, high pressure will continue to build in across most of the UK as it extends from the Azores. This will lead to more settled, warm or very warm conditions for many, especially across England and Wales, though some rain may still affect the far North."
Long-Range Outlook
The Met Office's long-range forecast (Sunday 5 Jul - Tuesday 14 Jul) states: "High pressure will dominate across England and Wales over the weekend and into next week. This will bring dry and warm conditions with plenty of sunshine for most. Scotland and Northern Ireland will probably see more cloud, with periods of rain at times, mainly affecting western Scotland. Through next week the high pressure may extend northwards at times to bring periods of drier and warmer weather to Scotland and Northern Ireland. Winds will be light to moderate for most, though stronger around northern hills and coasts near low pressure systems. Temperatures will rise through the early part of the period, becoming very warm or hot in parts of the south and east."
Record-Breaking Heat So Far
The UK has already endured two heatwaves this year and smashed the record for the hottest spring ever in England and Wales, and the hottest June on record as temperatures peaked at 37.3C in Santon Downham, Suffolk, on Friday. In its three-month summer outlook, the Met Office said temperatures during the period of 11 to 25 July are "likely to be above normal on the whole, with a greater than normal chance of hot conditions developing at times."
