UK weather forecasts indicate a return of extreme heat by Saturday, July 25, with temperatures potentially hitting 35C in southern and south-eastern England.
The UK is bracing for a significant weather U-turn as temperatures are set to climb back toward 30C and potentially 35C by the end of July. After a period of cooler, more typical summer weather, new data suggests a heat blast will develop in just over a week, pushing the mercury well beyond recent lows. Some maps suggest temperatures will rise once more back towards 40C, leaving people reaching for their fans and air conditioning once more.
Regional Peaks: From the South Coast to Yorkshire
According to Global Forecast System (GFS) maps published by WXCharts, the heat is expected to peak on Saturday, July 25. The most intense warming is projected for southern and south-eastern England, where potential highs of 35C are anticipated. The maps turn a deep crimson as they show heat marching up north.
The warming trend is not limited to the south. Forecasts show temperatures stretching above 30C across central England, specifically impacting Northampton and Peterborough. Birmingham is projected to reach as high as 34C on Saturday. In the north, cities including Leeds, Bradford, Preston, and Huddersfield are expected to hover around the 30C mark, while the Yorkshire Dales, Harrogate, and York could see highs between 26C and 29C.
Even Scotland is unlikely to escape the trend, with Aberdeen forecasted at a comparatively sweltering 19C. This suggests a broad geographical impact, searing the country from the south coast through the Midlands and into northern Wales and Yorkshire. The maps show the heat remaining into Sunday.
Met Office Warnings and Atmospheric Shifts
The Met Office long-range forecast for July 22 to 31 indicates that while temperatures will likely remain “above average, the heat may not be uniform. The agency warns that rain could douse the heatwave in certain parts of the country. The forecast states:
Most places will be dry at first with sunny spells, especially in the south, while northern and northwestern areas see more cloud and occasional patchy rain or drizzle.”
Through the weekend and into next week, conditions become a little more changeable, with showers and some longer spells of rain increasingly likely, mainly across northern parts of the UK.
— Met Office
Earlier in the week, temperatures dropped by as much as 10C in some areas—a sharp contrast to a previous peak of 37.7C in Lingwood, Norfolk—as winds from the west and the Atlantic Ocean brought fresher air. However, high pressure is re-establishing itself from the south, which will encourage rising temperatures and increased humidity levels. Later in the week, highs of 25-28C are expected across parts of England and Wales, while Scotland and Northern Ireland will stay cooler and fresher.
For those in the south, the outlook remains drier with more consistent sunshine, though the Met Office notes that a few showers cannot be ruled out.
The agency adds that toward the end of the period, there are signs that more settled and drier conditions may return, particularly in the south.
Winds are expected to remain light or moderate, though they may be occasionally fresh in the north.
Heatwave Criteria and Expected Impact
Despite the technical definition, the physical impact will be felt through warm, stuffy nights and high humidity. Some forecast scenarios suggest temperatures could climb to 35C or more again, peaking from the beginning to the middle of next week. Some areas of the south-east of England will be close to heatwave criteria into next weekend, with temperatures reaching close to 30C on Saturday and 30-32C on Sunday. While this is expected to be more manageable than the previous intense heatwave, it will likely bring a return to air conditioning and fan use for many households.
The return of such conditions carries significant stakes. Recent extreme heat led to seven deaths in open water and the implementation of hosepipe bans due to weather-driven restrictions.
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