Large parts of the UK could be see sizzling heat later this month, as the Met Office gave its verdict on a potential third heatwave of the year. Forecast data collected by WXCHARTS.COM shows vast swathes of the country blanketed in deep red on Tuesday, July 15, indicating another wave of Mediterranean-style conditions.
By 6pm UTC (7pm BST) dozens of counties from North Yorkshire and the Humber all the way down towards the south coast of England could see the mercury rise to highs of between 30C and 34C. These include major cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham as blazing heat covers England.
Temperatures in some areas, along eastern coasts, and Wales could be slightly cooler but still up in the mid-to-high 20s.
The same is true of the South West of England, though some areas could also see the heat dial cranking up to 30C.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland is forecast to see temperatures in the mid 20s across the country as is Scotland though in some areas, including north of Glasgow and in the northeast, temperatures could hit highs of 27C.
It comes as the Met Office warned a third heatwave in less than a month could be on the way.
Met Office meteorologist Zoe Hutin said: “Whilst it is difficult this far ahead to determine exactly how hot things could get next week and weekend, there is the potential that some parts of the country could reach heatwave criteria.”
The weather expert said the South East could see temperatures rise into the high 20s on July 9, and possibly climb to the low 30s on July 10. Hutin said the hot spell is likely to continue into the weekend, driven by a high-pressure system moving in from the West and extending across the South, drawing warm air from the Atlantic and the Azores.
“Most likely it will be the south and east that see prolonged heat and thus could have another heatwave, but it is too soon to say exactly how high temperatures could get,” she added.
The warning follows a period of incredibly hot temperatures, which rose to 34.7C in St James’s Park, London, on Tuesday, the highest recorded temperature in England so far this year.
However, Hutin said lower temperatures than recent days were expected for this weekend and at the start of the week ahead with “cloudier skies prevailing and bringing spells of rain at times, especially for western areas”, and they anticipated “showers on Sunday”, reports Sky News.
A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms covering multiple local authorities in the East Midlands, East of England, London & South East England, and Yorkshire & the Humber is currently in place until 7pm on Sunday.
People in affected areas are warned thunderstorms “may lead to some disruption to travel and outdoor activities”.
A flood warning is also in place for Upper River Colne and Radlett Brook, with “Radlett Brook, Colne, and Mimmshall Brook, with low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, particularly around Waterside, Lowbell Lane, London Colney and Warrengate Road”.
The Environment Agency says flooding is “possible” telling residents to “be prepared”.
“High river levels throughout the afternoon may lead to flooding,” it warns.
“Flooding is possible when river levels are at their highest from 3:30 PM on Sunday 6th July.”