The United Kingdom is bracing for a new heatwave as temperatures are expected to surge next week after a cooler weekend that brought some relief to parts of the country.
Following recent rains in northern and north-western regions, maximum temperatures could climb as high as 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) in the hottest locations, mainly across England and Wales.
Weekend Weather Recap
- Sunday saw cooler conditions nationwide, with cloud cover and scattered rain in southern and eastern areas.
- Temperatures dropped slightly, ending the third consecutive heatwave in places like Usk in Monmouthshire and Exeter in Devon.
- The south-east recorded mid-20s Celsius, while northern areas remained cooler with mid-teens Celsius.
Heatwave Outlook for Next Week
- High pressure building south of the UK is expected to block wet weather fronts, limiting rain mainly to northern and western Scotland.
- England and Wales are forecast to experience temperatures between 25 and 32 degrees Celsius, with the hottest days midweek.
- Central and eastern England will initially bear the brunt of the heat, spreading north and west by Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Scotland and Northern Ireland will stay cooler, with highs in the high teens to mid-twenties Celsius.
- Wednesday is predicted to be the peak day, with temperatures of 30 to 35 degrees Celsius in East Wales and much of England.
- Some models suggest the heat could intensify further by midweek.
Duration and End of Heatwave
By the weekend, cooler air and Atlantic weather systems may bring rain and westerly winds, potentially ending the heatwave. However, southern areas might remain dry. The persistence of heat depends largely on wind direction: westerly winds signal cooler conditions, while southerly winds may prolong the heat.
