Fifth heatwave of the year likely next week as temperatures could hit 35C

The UK is expected to experience its fifth heatwave of the year next week, with temperatures potentially reaching 35C in certain areas. A widespread heatwave has been declared due to soaring temperatures in south-east England from Sunday, with yellow heat health alerts issued for most of England until Tuesday. Yellow alerts signify an increased risk to life for vulnerable individuals and strain on health and social care services.

Temperatures are forecasted to begin climbing above the average on Saturday, reaching the mid to high 20s Celsius across most of England and Wales. Meanwhile, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be cooler, with temperatures ranging from 17 to 21C and accompanied by cloud cover, light rain, and a gusty wind. As the week progresses, temperatures are set to soar further, with many parts of the UK surpassing the heatwave threshold of 25 to 28C, depending on the location.

To be declared a heatwave, a region typically needs three consecutive days exceeding this threshold.

This summer in the United Kingdom has been extraordinary, with numerous records broken. July has been the sunniest month on record for the UK and the driest July on record for England and Wales. To date, 33 days this year have seen temperatures exceed 30C in the UK, and next week, it is likely that the record of 34 consecutive days, set in 1995, will be broken.

Another remarkable aspect of this summer is that a temperature of 35C has been recorded in the UK for the first time in consecutive months of May, June, and July. If the forecast models are accurate, August may join this list by the end of next week, with central and south-east England potentially experiencing a temperature of 35C.

While some rain is anticipated for Scotland and Northern Ireland on Saturday, before moving on to northern England and north Wales on Sunday, the rest of the country is expected to remain dry. Wisley in Surrey has gone 51 days without any rainfall, and this dry spell could extend to 60 days with no rain across southern England. Despite the ongoing dry weather, August is typically the wettest month of the summer across the UK.

There are indications that the latter part of August could become unsettled as low pressure becomes more prominent, but with no significant rain in sight, the current drought conditions, including hosepipe bans, are unlikely to ease.