The Met Office has indicated that another official heatwave is becoming "increasingly likely" after a warm and settled weekend, with 26 counties forecast to see temperatures of 30C or higher by Tuesday, July 7.
Forecast Details
According to the latest weather models from forecaster WXCharts, the first 30C temperatures could arrive as early as Saturday, July 4, with Kent expected to be in the firing line. By Monday, July 6, the heat is forecast to intensify, with London and the surrounding area seeing temperatures of 30C and 31C, and parts of Gloucestershire expecting similar highs.
On July 7, the hot spell is predicted to spread further, with peaks of 33C in Greater London and Berkshire, before the highest temperatures move gradually east across the country.
Context of Recent Heat
This forecast follows last week's extreme heat, when provisional UK June temperature records were broken on three consecutive days, culminating in a reading of 37.7C on Friday in Norfolk. Much of England and Wales was placed under red and amber extreme heat warnings as the Met Office urged people to take precautions.
Met Office Statement
Looking ahead to the weekend, Deputy Chief Forecaster Tony Wisson 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."
The Met Office said temperatures could climb into the high 20s across parts of England this weekend, with some locations in the southeast potentially reaching 30C. Wales could also see highs in the mid to high 20s. Forecasters said another heatwave is becoming increasingly likely in some parts of the UK early next week.
However, the Met Office stressed it is not currently expecting temperatures or humidity to reach the extreme levels experienced during last week's record-breaking spell. Tony Wisson added: "Although a return to heatwave conditions is looking increasingly likely for some areas, the likelihood of such extreme high temperatures or high levels of humidity as last week is currently low."
Counties Expected to Reach 30C or Above by July 7
According to the latest WXCharts weather model, the following 26 counties could see temperatures of 30C or higher at the beginning of next week:
- London
- Essex
- Kent
- Surrey
- Sussex
- Hampshire
- Berkshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Hertfordshire
- Gloucestershire
- Bristol
- Somerset
- Wiltshire
- Dorset
- Warwickshire
- Herefordshire
- Worcestershire
- Northamptonshire
- Bedfordshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Suffolk
- Norfolk
- Rutland
- Leicestershire
- West Midlands
- Staffordshire
