Forecasters predict scorching temperatures next weekend as high pressure from the Azores builds over Britain.Weather maps are forecasting a fresh surge of heat across the UK, with temperatures potentially reaching 34C in parts of England as high pressure builds in from the Azores.
When and where
According to maps produced by WXCharts, Saturday 11 July could turn out to be the hottest day of the month so far, with the most intense heat concentrated across southern and eastern England. Temperatures in these areas could widely exceed 30C, with some locations forecast to reach as high as 34C.
Areas on the western side of the country are expected to escape the worst of the heat. Lancashire, the Lake District, western Scotland and Northern Ireland are likely to benefit from an Atlantic breeze, which is expected to keep temperatures in the low to mid-20s.
The UK Health Security Agency has already issued yellow heat health alerts covering the east of England, the East Midlands, West Midlands, south-west England, London and the south-east. The alerts run from midday on 4 July until 8pm on 11 July.
How it compares to June
Forecasters say this developing heatwave is unlikely to match the intensity of the record-breaking spell seen in June, but it is expected to last considerably longer. For some parts of the country, it will mark the third heatwave of the year, with many forecasting models suggesting the warm weather could persist into the middle of July.
Conditions are expected to build gradually from Monday, with temperatures rising further through the week as high pressure strengthens across England and Wales.
Met Office outlook
In its long-range forecast covering 9 to 18 July, the Met Office said: “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.”
The forecast continued: “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.” The Met Office added that while conditions would be “widely very warm at first,” they were not expected to reach the heat or humidity levels seen in June, with temperatures likely to “ease back to more normal summer temperatures in the week commencing Monday 13 July.”
Areas forecast to reach 34C
According to WXCharts, the following areas could see temperatures climb as high as 34C:
- Chester
- Liverpool
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Derby
- Leicester
- Birmingham
- Coventry
- Peterborough
- Ely
- Cambridge
- Luton
- St Albans
- London
