Britain could soon face another heatwave sending temperatures as high as 39C - which would be the hottest day of the year so far.
The hottest day in the UK so far this year came on June 26 when temperatures peaked at 37.7C in Lingwood, Norfolk. Several counties could surge past this and hit at least 38C at the start of August, according to weather model data.
A new hot spell would constitute the UK's fourth heatwave of the year. The Met Office has already said conditions could turn "very warm" again by the start of August - following heatwaves in May, June and July.
GFS model shows 11 consecutive days above 30C
The GFS weather model shows temperatures surging to 30C once again next Monday, with southern and western parts of England reaching that temperature. It then shows 11 consecutive days where temperatures peak at at least 30C - culminating with an absolute scorcher on August 6.
Temperatures could rise to 38-39C quite widely across eastern and south-eastern parts of England including London on August 6, according to the data. The Midlands could see 36-37C highs, with parts of South Yorkshire reaching 31C.
Temperature anomaly maps show well above average
Temperature anomaly maps for this period show England and Wales shaded in areas of dark red. This indicates where temperatures will rise well above the seasonal average.
GFS model data suggests 10 counties could reach 38C or more at the start of next month. They are all in England.
UK counties facing 38C or more
- Cambridgeshire
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
- Essex
- Bedfordshire
- Hertfordshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Surrey
- Sussex
- Kent
Met Office weather forecast
The Met Office says "fairly changeable" weather is to be expected for the rest of July, with both "wet spells" and "some drier and more settled interlude". But despite this mixed feel, "temperatures are still expected to be above average overall".
There is also "potential for further heatwaves" in August, according to the national weather agency. However, it adds that current Met Office projections suggest any more scorching spells will likely come later in the month.
However, that doesn't mean we won't see the mercury rise above 30C soon. The Met Office has said "temperatures [will be] possibly approaching 30C in places by Friday" this week, with the warmest conditions expected in the south-east.
