Weather maps are turning red as a blast of 26C heat finally reaches the UK from mainland Europe, where multiple nations have been forced to issue heat health alerts
Britain is set to be hit by a European heat blast, according to new weather forecasts.
Temperature maps from WXcharts are turning a vibrant shade of red as temperatures are expected to leap by 10 degrees on Sunday 21 July. A new area of high pressure means heatwave conditions from mainland Europe are expected to finally reach our shores, and end a long spell of miserable wet weather in the UK.
The hottest weather will be seen in the southeast, where highs of 26C could be seen, and the mercury could hit 24C as far north as Humberside. Areas to the far north and west will meanwhile see temperatures between 18C and 20C.
It comes after Exacta Weather’s James Madden claimed people in some parts of the UK will be able to “get the barbecues ready” soon, claiming heat could rise upwards of 35C. He said: “Get the barbecues at the ready, as a big change and some big heat are now set to arrive on cue! The expected and well-promised pattern change for July 10–20, particularly July 15–17, is now on and imminent for some very hot to potentially extreme heat, which is now on the horizon for many parts of the country within the next several days.”
Though Britain has now seen several days of rainy weather and cool temperatures, a number of countries in southern Europe have already issued heatwave alerts. There have been reports of wildfires in Greece and tourists being evacuated, while three Spanish regions are also on yellow alert for heat, according to MeteoAlarm, with the British Red Cross telling people travelling to exceptionally hot destinations to “avoid activities in the middle of the day”.
The Met Office is however expecting the unsettled weather phase to continue for most of July. Their long-range forecast from Monday 15 July to Wednesday 24 July reads: “Following a fairly changeable weekend with showers and the potential for longer spells of rain in the north, next week is expected to continue in a similar vein as another weather system arrives from the Atlantic, into parts of southern or southwest UK. This will most likely herald further spells of unsettled weather moving east or northeast across the country, with rain (most frequent in the northwest) or showers and some sunny spells (most frequent in the southeast) in-between at times. There are limited, if any, signs for more prolonged settled and warm weather, but winds are likely to stay fairly light overall with temperatures, particularly across the south, coming up to around the average for the of year.”
This Thursday will see more outbreaks of rain, according the Met Office, especially in central areas. A dry but cloudy weekend will then follow after spells of sunshine and showers on Friday.
UK weather forecast
Thursday:
Outbreaks of rain continuing to affect central areas throughout the day, but rain tending to be lighter and more patchy. Drier and brighter either side and remaining cool for many.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Sunshine and showers on Friday, before a risk of rain moves across eastern areas later and into Saturday. Drier but rather cloudy over the weekend, with still some showers.