The Met Office has confirmed that the South East of England could face heatwave conditions again this weekend, with temperatures reaching 30°C from Saturday or Sunday. This comes just days after the previous baking heat ended, offering a brief respite before temperatures climb again.
Heatwave Likely for South East
On Monday, the Met Office stated that another heatwave is 'increasingly likely to arrive this weekend,' though it is 'unlikely' to hit the same temperature peaks as last week. The forecaster noted that this week will bring welcome relief for many, with the UK returning to low to mid-20°C temperatures. However, this coming weekend, temperatures will begin to creep back up, with 'heatwave conditions for some' on the cards.
The Met Office said: “For the early part of next week, temperatures will rise, perhaps reaching heatwave conditions for some, but the forecast suggests that this event is unlikely to reach the high temperatures and humidity of last week’s heat.”
Week's Weather: Relief Then Showers
Neil Armstrong, a Met Office Chief Forecaster, commented: “With last week’s heat behind us, there will be much relief for many this week as we are forecasting a pleasant week of summer with temperatures in the low to mid 20s°C for many.” From Tuesday into midweek, conditions are forecast to turn more changeable, with showers or longer spells of rain, heaviest and most frequent in the north and west. The south and southeast will stay mostly drier and often warm. Some of the showers on Tuesday could be thundery, with potential for a thunderstorm warning.
Weekend Build-Up: High Pressure from Azores
Tony Wisson, a Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, explained: “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 forecast for this weekend (Saturday, July 4 and 5) suggests that temperatures could approach high 20s°C across parts of England, perhaps 30°C in parts of the southeast, with values of mid to high 20s°C in Wales. 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.”
