Britain is bracing for another heatwave as weather maps turn volcanic red, with temperatures potentially reaching 41C on July 7, according to the latest WXCharts forecasts based on the NCEP GFS weather model. After last week's record-breaking heatwave, a brief cooler spell this week will give way to soaring temperatures again, particularly in south-eastern parts of the UK.
Cooler Spell Before the Scorcher
This week, weather coming in from the Atlantic on south-westerly winds will bring lower temperatures and areas of low pressure will introduce some rain. Many areas will see temperatures hovering around 20C, providing a comfortable respite. However, by the weekend, high pressure may become more dominant, raising the possibility of another heatwave. The Met Office long-range forecast for Friday 3 July to Sunday 12 July states that temperatures "will rise through the period, perhaps becoming very warm or hot in places."
July 7: Potential for 40C+
On July 7, parts of England could face another scorching spell reaching as high as 40C or even 41C, particularly later in the afternoon. The WXCharts maps show temperatures surging again over the weekend, with the highest readings concentrated across much of central, eastern and southern England.
21 Hottest Counties Listed
The 40C or higher temperatures are expected in the following 21 counties: Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Dorset, Essex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Suffolk, Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex, and Wiltshire.
Met Office Long-Range Forecast
The Met Office forecast for the period notes: "Some rain is possible across Scotland on Friday, easing as it spreads south and east before clearing away. High pressure will dominate across England and Wales over the weekend, bringing dry and warm conditions with plenty of sunshine for most. Scotland and Northern Ireland will probably see more cloud this weekend, with periods of rain mainly affecting western Scotland at times."
Into the following working week, high pressure remains slow moving over England and Wales, perhaps extending northwards to bring drier and warmer weather to Scotland and Northern Ireland. Winds will be light to moderate for most, though stronger around northern hills and coasts near low pressure systems.
Heatwave Threshold and Grid Concerns
The heatwave threshold could be triggered again in south-eastern parts of the UK in early July. The prospect of 41C temperatures has also raised concerns about potential blackouts, as the national grid could be pushed "to breaking point" during such extreme heat, according to previous warnings.
