UK weather maps are showing a return to warm conditions next week, with temperatures set to reach 26C in the southeast of England, according to data from WXCharts.
Temperatures are expected to stay above 20C for most of southern England for three days next week, peaking on Wednesday around Cambridgeshire at 26C. Highs of 22C may even be felt as far north as Northumberland, the maps indicate.
Warm-up begins Tuesday
The warm-up begins on Tuesday evening. By 6pm, temperatures will reach 24C across much of southern England, while Wales could peak in the low 20s. Further north, conditions will be slightly cooler, with temperatures between 16C and 19C across northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
On Wednesday, the heat could spread across much of the UK, with England seeing some of the highest temperatures. Highs of 24C are expected in Birmingham and across southern England, while coastal Cornwall could be slightly cooler. The highest temperatures are likely to be concentrated across Southeast England, the Home Counties and East Anglia, according to the maps.
Hottest counties on Wednesday
According to WXCharts, the seven hottest UK counties on Wednesday, 26 August, are: Greater London, Surrey, Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk.
The warm weather is expected to continue into Thursday, with temperatures of around 22C across much of southern England and the Midlands through to 6pm, according to WXCharts.
Met Office forecast differs
The Met Office long range forecast, which differs from WXCharts, suggests temperatures are likely to be near average from August 25, although some short-lived warm or hot spells are possible, especially in the south. However, it said weather will become more unsettled and changeable from the south at the start of this period, as showers or longer spells of rain spread north across many parts of the UK. "Some heavy bursts and thunderstorms are likely at times," it added.
