Parts of the UK could bake in temperatures of up to 36C over the coming days, with weather maps suggesting the hottest conditions could arrive by next week. The latest WXCharts maps, generated using GFS weather model data, cover the period from August 4 through to August 12. They show temperatures gradually climbing across southern and eastern England, with many areas forecast to reach 30C, 31C and 32C before peaking at 36C in some locations.
Forecast maps suggest the hottest conditions will be concentrated across southern and eastern England by August 12, with temperatures widely expected to exceed 30C and some areas potentially reaching 35C or 36C. The Midlands are also forecast to see temperatures in the mid-30s, while northern England could climb into the low 30s. Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to remain noticeably cooler, with many areas forecast to stay in the low to mid-20s.
According to the latest WXCharts maps, temperatures of 35C or above could be reached across parts of:
- Bedfordshire
- Berkshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Essex
- Hampshire
- Hertfordshire
- Huntingdonshire
- Leicestershire
- Kent
- Middlesex
- Northamptonshire
- Oxfordshire
- Surrey
- Sussex
- Suffolk
The highest temperatures shown on the latest forecast maps are around 36C, although forecasts are subject to change.
In its forecast covering August 4 to August 8, the Met Office said: “Dry for many on Thursday and Friday, but rain affecting northern and western parts during Saturday. Temperatures around average initially but turning warmer again towards the southeast by Saturday.”
It also added that August 5 would bring showers or longer spells of rain, accompanied by strong winds and the risk of hail and thunder across northern areas, while southern parts of the UK should see sunny spells despite feeling cooler than recent days.
Looking further ahead, the Met Office’s long-range forecast covering August 9 to August 18 suggests temperatures could rise again.
The forecaster said: “For the most part, temperatures look to remain above average, especially in the south, and perhaps turning very warm or hot.”
The Met Office added that high pressure is expected to remain prevalent across the UK for a time, bringing more settled conditions for many areas.
However, it warned lower pressure to the south or east could also bring frontal systems or thundery interludes to southern and eastern parts of the country, although rainfall amounts are expected to vary.