Extreme highs of 39C are forecast in the UK soon, according to new weather maps, as meteorologists say the nation is set to experience its third heatwave of the summer so far
New weather forecasts show the mercury rising to a scorching 39C after meteorologists warned of a ‘longer and wider’ heatwave coming to Britain.
Maps from WXCharts using MetDesk data show a period of very warm weather between Monday 21 July and Tuesday 22 July that couyld see the mercury surge even above Dubai, with the heat primarily concentrated in England and some inland parts of Wales. On the Monday, conditions in the low-to-mid 30s are forecast across the southeast, East Anglia and central England, reaching 28C-29C in the southwest and the north. Temperatures are meanwhile expected around the 23C-24C mark in Wales, 20C in Northern Ireland, and 17-18C in northern Scotland.
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But it’s on the Tuesday that things will reach into more extreme territory, with the latest forecast showing highs of 39C in North Norfolk at 6pm that day.
The highs appear set to smash maximums in Dubai on the same day, with two-metre temperature maps suggesting the Middle-Eastern nation could see temperatures in their mid-30s by 6pm.
The mercury would fall just short of Britain’s highest-ever temperature of 40.3C, which was recorded during the infamous heatwave of summer 2022. The 39C high would also smash Norfolk’s current record of 37.1C, which came during the same summer.
Warm conditions are also expected in the short-term, with Met Office saying it expects to declare a heatwave in multiple parts of the UK this weekend thanks to the arrival of a new high pressure system from the Atlantic.
This would be the third heatwave of the summer so far, and is expected to last longer than the previous two, particularly in the southeast.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Holley said: “High pressure from the Atlantic will gradually exert its influence over the UK this week. We’ll see temperatures build day-on-day, with the potential for hot conditions to become quite widespread by the end of the week and into the weekend.
“On Wednesday, temperatures could reach up to 28°C in parts of England, climbing to 30°C on Thursday and 32°C by Friday. By this stage, heatwave criteria are likely to be met in parts of England and Wales, and in parts of Scotland over the weekend.
“High temperatures are likely to persist into the weekend, especially away from coasts with onshore winds, reaching the low 30s in portions of England and Wales, and accompanied by rising humidity and warmer nights.
“This heatwave is likely to last longer than previous ones so far this summer, and affect a wider area, with the focus for some of the highest temperatures displaced across more central and western areas at times. In addition, pollen and UV levels will also be very high in some areas.”
Scientists recently warned that the chance of seeing temperatures above 40C in the UK is now more than 20 times greater than it was in the 1960s due to global warming.