Some parts of England have already experienced more than two weeks of official heatwave conditions, and the latest forecast suggests that, despite lower temperatures in some regions, widespread rainfall is unlikely. According to the BBC, high pressure is expected to dominate the weather pattern during the coming week, influencing both temperatures and rainfall across the UK.
The shift is expected to be most noticeable in eastern England, along with northern and eastern Scotland, where cooler northerly air is forecast to replace the recent heat. Other parts of the country, particularly along the south coast, may continue to experience temperatures above local heatwave thresholds.
Cooler Air Is Expected to Reach Eastern Britain
According to the BBC, a developing area of high pressure will generate clockwise winds that introduce a northerly airflow across the UK. This change is forecast to bring temperatures around 5C lower than those recorded during the previous week in eastern England and across northern and eastern Scotland.
The cooler conditions may also briefly extend into parts of southern England and south Wales. Even so, the forecast indicates that some locations are likely to remain hot. Bournemouth, for example, has already recorded 15 consecutive days above its local heatwave threshold of 26C, and the current outlook suggests those conditions could continue for at least another week.
Forecast temperatures also vary between major cities. In London, the highest temperature expected during the coming week is 27C on Friday, 24 July. Manchester is forecast to reach 24C on Monday, 20 July, while Glasgow could see temperatures fall to 18C on Sunday, 26 July.
Dry Conditions Are Forecast to Continue Across Much of the Country
Alongside the prolonged heat, many parts of the UK have experienced an exceptionally dry summer. According to the BBC, rainfall has varied considerably across the country, although eastern and north-eastern England have been the driest regions, receiving only around half of their expected rainfall by this stage of the season.
The BBC also reports that Wisley, in Surrey, has now gone 31 consecutive days without measurable rainfall. Across a large area of central England, this represents the longest dry spell recorded in 30 years. Despite the expected drop in temperatures in some regions, the broader weather pattern is not expected to deliver significant rainfall. High pressure is forecast to remain dominant throughout the coming week, limiting opportunities for widespread rain.
According to the BBC, north-west Scotland is likely to be the wettest part of the UK, where frontal systems may bring up to 30mm of rainfall over the course of the week. Elsewhere, a few coastal showers are possible, although many inland areas are expected to experience at least five more completely dry days. The forecast therefore points to cooler conditions for some parts of Britain, while prolonged dry weather is set to remain the defining feature across much of the country.
