The UK will have to brace for yet another blistering heat surge as new WXCharts weather maps flash alarming shades of red across much of England. After record-breaking heat in June and a third wave that scorched parts of the country in early July, these weather maps now warn that the mercury could climb again.
The forecast, valid for Sunday, August 3, shows a deep red heat plume covering much of the country, with southeast England and London, eastern Wales and parts of the Midlands set to bear the brunt of the extreme conditions. From Birmingham to Southampton, the map shows consistent highs of the high 20s to 30C. Meanwhile, in and around London, highs could reach 31C.
This surge in heat comes amid mounting concerns from forecasters about repeated high-pressure systems trapping warm air over the UK, a pattern that’s become increasingly common in recent summers. The Met Office has already warned of an elevated risk of extreme heat events lasting into August, especially in southern England.
The UK’s capital is expected to be among the hottest places in the country, with central and greater London forecast to reach 31C. Historic university cities Oxford and Cambridge are also deep in the red zone, with temperatures expected to reach similar heights. Even typically cooler countryside areas like the Cotswolds and Stratford-upon-Avon – birthplace of Shakespeare – are forecast to hit 30 to 31C, according to the WXCharts map.
The UK’s second-largest city is also squarely in the heatwave area. Birmingham and surrounding towns like Wolverhampton and Solihull could see highs of 31C. The red zone stretches far north, bringing 30–31C highs to cities like Manchester, Leeds, and Sheffield — areas that normally see more moderate summer weather. Finally, on the south coast, seaside favourites like Brighton, Portsmouth and Southampton are also expected to hit 30-31C, likely drawing massive crowds to its famous beaches.
For now though, the Met Office warns to expect “bands of rain and thunderstorms affecting many”. The outlook for Wednesday to Friday (July 23-25) reads: “Sunny spells and scattered showers remain the theme this week as low pressure continues to bring unsettled conditions. Less showers, more sunshine by Thursday, with temperatures around the seasonal average.”
Counties Likely to Hit 28–31C on August 3
South East England
- Greater London
- Kent
- Surrey
- West Sussex
- East Sussex
- Hampshire
- Berkshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Oxfordshire
East of England
- Essex
- Hertfordshire
- Bedfordshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
East Midlands
- Northamptonshire
- Leicestershire
- Rutland
- Nottinghamshire
- Derbyshire (especially south and east)
- Lincolnshire (central/south)
West Midlands
- West Midlands (Birmingham)
- Worcestershire
- Warwickshire
- Staffordshire (especially central/south)
South West England
- Wiltshire
- Gloucestershire
- Bristol
- Somerset (east)
- Dorset (north and east)
- Far east Devon (near Exeter)
North of England
- South Yorkshire
- West Yorkshire (Leeds, Wakefield, Bradford)
- North Yorkshire (southern part)
- Lincolnshire