The Met Office has confirmed that the current hot weather gripping the UK will continue for at least another 10 days, with the first significant chance of rain not expected until around July 25 or 26.
High Pressure Dominates
High pressure is expected to remain in control across most of the UK for the next week and a half, bringing settled, dry conditions. While there are early signs that the weather could become more changeable towards the end of that period, forecasters say confidence in any major shift is still low.
Temperatures will again climb into the high 20s Celsius today, with a few places likely to reach the low 30s. The UK recently experienced its third heatwave of the year, and the current spell shows no immediate signs of breaking.
Weekend Cooldown but Still Dry
As the weekend approaches, the weather will begin to feel slightly different. The Met Office says high pressure will shift further northwest, allowing cooler northerly winds to develop across the UK. This will ease temperatures, especially across England and Wales, though it will still feel pleasantly warm in sunshine, with plenty of dry weather for most areas.
On Friday, a few showers could pop up across southern and southeastern England, with a small chance of an isolated thunderstorm. Any rain is expected to be hit-and-miss and short-lived. Eastern Scotland could also see the odd spell of light rain as weak weather fronts brush the area.
Next Week: Dry and Settled
Looking ahead to next week, the forecast remains largely unchanged. High pressure is still expected to dominate, keeping conditions settled and much drier than usual. Monday and Tuesday look especially dry, with very little rain expected. Current weather models show an area of high pressure sitting to the west of the UK, helping to keep most places settled.
By the middle of next week, that high pressure system may begin to weaken or drift further southwest. If that happens, slightly cooler air could spread south from the northwest, although most areas are still likely to stay dry.
First Real Chance of Rain
The first real chance of a more unsettled spell, with a better chance of rain, isn't expected until around July 25 or July 26, according to the Met Office. Until then, the UK will continue to bask in warm, dry conditions, with temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s Celsius.
