The United Kingdom has experienced four heatwaves already this year, with a fifth one potentially looming in the near future. Temperatures soared to 35C in certain areas of England, meeting the heatwave criteria. Although a slight decrease is expected over the weekend, another peak of 35C is anticipated soon.
According to the GFS weather model, temperatures are projected to rise on August 11, with the possibility of reaching 31C across various regions of England and parts of Wales. The following day, on August 12, temperatures could hit a maximum of 35C, particularly in the Midlands and south-east regions, with even Yorkshire possibly reaching 33C.
On August 13, East Anglia could experience highs of 34C, while central, southern, and eastern England, along with South Wales, may see temperatures ranging from 31-33C. These conditions are indicative of the fifth official heatwave of the year, which is declared when the ‘heatwave threshold’ of consecutive days above 28C (25C in regions away from the south-east) is met.
Temperature anomaly maps for August 11 to August 13 illustrate that the UK is expected to experience temperatures significantly above the usual seasonal averages. The GFS model forecasts that 11 counties in England could potentially reach 35C or higher later in the month.
The Met Office suggests that temperatures could rise to very warm or hot levels in August, but there is also a chance of thundery weather in some areas. The forecast for August 5 to August 14 indicates a mix of rain, showers, and sunshine, with temperatures likely to be slightly above average, especially in the southern regions.