New weather maps from WXCharts, based on ECMWF data, show that temperatures across the UK could plunge to as low as 4C by July 4, with 22 counties forecast to wake up to single-digit temperatures. This dramatic cooldown follows a week of intense heat, where the Met Office issued a rare red heat health alert as temperatures were expected to reach 37C on Tuesday and 38C on Wednesday and Thursday, with some projections suggesting parts of England could approach 40C.
Counties Affected by the Drop
The forecast indicates that at 6am on July 4, temperatures will fall to around 4C in parts of the Scottish Highlands, while large areas of England and Wales will see temperatures below 10C. The counties expected to experience single-digit temperatures include Cumbria, Northumberland, County Durham, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Powys, Gwynedd, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Denbighshire, and Conwy.
Impact and Context
Much of northern England is forecast to see temperatures between 7C and 9C, while parts of Wales and the Midlands also fall into single figures. The chilliest conditions are expected in rural and upland areas, where overnight temperatures can drop more sharply under clear skies. This projected drop highlights the volatile nature of the UK's summer weather, with temperatures swinging dramatically from heatwave conditions to an unseasonably chilly start to July. While long-range forecasts remain subject to change, the latest model output points to a notably cool start to the day for millions of Britons.
