The Met Office has confirmed that three UK areas are set to escape the fresh heatwave baking England and Wales in the coming days. While heatwave conditions are expected to return with a "further notable heatwave developing this week," the north and northwest of Scotland, and at times parts of Northern Ireland, will continue to see the influence of showery rain from the west.
Heat to peak on Thursday
Heat will "gradually build" for England and Wales through this week, peaking with 36C on Thursday. The Met Office Chief Forecaster Jason Kelly said: "Heat will gradually build this week, with temperatures reaching into the mid-30s Celsius in what will be a fairly widespread heatwave for England and Wales."
He added: "The driver for this week's heat is high pressure, this becoming dominant over the next day or so, bringing plenty of sunshine and allowing temperatures to build day-by-day. Southerly or southeasterly winds will also tap into the hot conditions over Europe, meaning we're looking at further notable heat for many this week, likely peaking on Thursday."
Cooler air and longer rain spells
Later on in August, cooler air may finally bring "longer spells of rain" across other parts of the UK. Met Office deputy chief forecaster David Oliver said: "While Thursday will be the peak of the heat this week, some warmth will remain in the south and southeast on Friday, before easing more widely on Saturday as cooler air spreads south from the northwest."
The forecaster added: "High pressure is likely to retain some influence over the weather in the south of the UK later in the weekend but may begin to weaken into the start of next week. Details are uncertain, but this may allow showers or some longer spells of rain to spread across parts of the UK for a time."
