The upcoming week in the UK may bring the fourth heatwave of the year, with temperatures potentially soaring to a remarkable 40C, according to the latest forecasts from the Met Office. The weather models indicate a gradual rise in temperatures starting from Tuesday, with peaks of 33C in parts of eastern and southern England and 31C in areas as far north as Yorkshire.
As the week progresses, temperatures are expected to climb further. By Wednesday, the south-east could experience highs of 35C, while the Midlands and the England-Wales border may see temperatures reaching 33C and 32C, respectively. In contrast, Scotland and Northern Ireland are likely to have cooler temperatures, struggling to reach beyond the low-20s.
Thursday could bring extremely hot conditions, with the potential for temperatures to reach 39C in central, southern, and south-eastern England. This would surpass the current 2026 temperature record of 37.7C set in Norfolk. Friday may see highs of 37C in eastern regions, with central and southern England possibly experiencing temperatures between 35-36C. The weekend could see a return of 38C-39C temperatures, with eastern England expected to be the warmest area.
The peak of the heatwave is forecasted for Sunday, with a possibility of highs reaching 40C once again in eastern England. This could potentially set a new all-time temperature record for the UK, surpassing the current record of 40.3C from the July 2022 heatwave. Temperature anomaly maps for next week show England and Wales in dark red and black shades, indicating temperatures well above the seasonal average.
According to the Met Office, temperatures are set to rise next week, with 30C expected in southern and eastern regions by Tuesday. The south-east could experience very warm to hot conditions throughout the week. The Met Office highlights the potential for some locations to meet heatwave criteria, marking the possible fourth heatwave episode of the year in parts of the UK.