A new heatwave is set to develop across parts of the UK from this weekend, with forecasters predicting that temperatures could climb to 33C or 34C. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued yellow heat health alerts in England covering the east, East Midlands, West Midlands, south-west, London and the south-east from midday on 4 July until 8pm on 11 July. The hottest conditions are expected in southern England. Although this heatwave is not forecast to be as intense as the record-breaking spell experienced in June, it is estimated to last considerably longer. For some regions, this will be the third heatwave of the year.
Many forecasting models suggest that the hot spell could persist into the middle of July. Weather maps generated today (Saturday, July 4) by WXCharts show that Saturday, July 11, might be the hottest day of the month so far. The highest temperatures will be focused across southern and eastern England, where values could widely exceed 30C, maps suggest.
In contrast, areas on the western side of the UK, including Lancashire, the Lake District, western Scotland and Northern Ireland, are expected to have the Atlantic breeze, which will act like a natural air conditioner, limiting temperatures to the low to mid-20s.
The forecast suggests weather will be increasingly warmer from Monday next week, with the heat expected to peak during the second half of the week across England and Wales as high pressure builds from the Azores.
The Met Office in its own separate long-range forecast from July 9 to July 18 states: “High pressure will continue to prevail across England and Wales, likely extending its influence into the northern UK for a time. This will continue to bring dry and very warm weather across England and Wales, but there is an outside chance of the odd localised thunderstorms at times.
“High pressure may extend northwards to bring periods of drier and warmer weather to most of Scotland and Northern Ireland too. Winds will be light to moderate for most.
“Temperatures will be widely very warm at first, although not as hot nor humid as seen in June. There are signals for the heatwave to ease back to more normal summer temperatures in the week commencing Monday 13 July.”