Hot weather is forecast to return to parts of the UK next week, with temperatures expected to climb above 35C in several counties. Weather maps suggest southern and eastern England will experience the highest temperatures as a new spell of heat develops.
Temperatures Set to Rise Across Southern and Eastern England
The latest WXCharts weather maps indicate that temperatures will gradually increase over the coming days, with the hottest conditions expected around Wednesday, August 12.
Forecast data produced by Metdesk suggests temperatures could reach 36C in parts of southern and eastern England. Much of the region is expected to exceed 30C, while parts of the Midlands and northern England could also experience unusually hot conditions.
Scotland and Northern Ireland are forecast to remain cooler, with temperatures generally staying in the low to mid-20s. Wales is also expected to enjoy dry and sunny weather, although temperatures there are likely to remain below those recorded in eastern England.
Fourteen Counties Could Exceed 35C
According to the latest forecasts, temperatures of 35C or higher could be recorded in parts of the following counties: Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Sussex and Suffolk.
If the forecasts are confirmed, these areas would experience some of the highest temperatures recorded this summer. Weather models may still change over the coming days, but forecasters expect a widespread period of hot and settled weather across much of England.
Thunderstorm Risk Before the Heat Builds
Before the hotter conditions become established, some parts of the UK are expected to see unsettled weather.
The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning covering parts of Angus, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray and Highland. Slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms could bring local disruption.
Rain is also expected across parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland during the middle of the week before higher temperatures return to many areas. Earlier this week, the Met Office recorded a high of 33.5C in Wisley, Surrey, highlighting the return of very warm conditions.
Heat Continues to Raise Concerns for Farmers
The prolonged spell of dry weather is also increasing pressure on the agricultural sector.
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has warned that continued drought conditions could affect crop yields and contribute to higher food prices. Farmers in several regions have already brought forward the wheat harvest after exceptionally dry conditions accelerated crop maturity.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw has called for greater investment in water storage infrastructure, arguing that improving water security is becoming increasingly important for the UK’s food supply.
While forecasts may evolve over the coming days, current weather models suggest that another significant heatwave could develop across large parts of England next week.
