Britain could be on the brink of its hottest day on record, with weather models indicating that temperatures might soar to 41C. The current record stands at 40.3C, set during the heatwave of July 2022, but fresh data suggests this could be surpassed as another heatwave looms.
The Met Office has said conditions could become "very warm again by the start of August", and the GFS weather model shows temperatures rising steadily from July 29, when highs of 31C are possible in the south-east of England. On July 30, southern England could see 30C, followed by potential 31C highs in south-western areas on July 31, with Wales also reaching 30C.
The model then projects a dramatic spike on August 1, with staggering highs of 41C shown in the east of England. A large area from Sussex up to Lincolnshire, including London, could see 40C, while the Midlands might experience 38C and Yorkshire 37C. Parts of Wales near the English border could reach 31C or 32C, though peak temperatures are expected to stay below 30C in Scotland and below 25C in Northern Ireland.
In total, the GFS model suggests that ten counties, all in the east of England, could see temperatures of 40C or more. Temperature anomaly maps for August 31 show England and Wales shaded in deep red and black, indicating where temperatures are expected to rise well above the seasonal average.
The Met Office's forecast for the rest of July says conditions are expected to be "warmest in the south", with temperatures potentially becoming "very warm again by the start of August". Looking further ahead, the forecast for August 2 to August 16 states: "Temperatures will very likely remain above normal, with potential for further hot spells, particularly in the south." However, there will also be a risk of storms, as the Met Office notes that occasional summertime thunderstorms are possible on some days given the right ingredients.
