Met Office Issues ‘Very Warm’ Weather Forecast

A warning of the next heatwave has been given as more ‘very warm’ weather is forecast, the update comes after the North East recorded highs of 36.8C on Tuesday.

The Met Office has shared an update confirming whether or not there could be another heatwave in the UK in the coming weeks. It comes as record temperatures on Monday and Tuesday caused multiple school closures, travel chaos and wildfires.

The hottest temperatures were recorded in Lincolnshire, where the mercury rose to 40.3C, while the North East recorded highs of 36.8C. Now, forecasters are forecasting more “very warm” weather on the way at the beginning of August.

At present, the Met Office has said that it hasn’t yet seen anything that suggests another heatwave of the same strength and intensity is on the way.

However, the likelihood of similar weather conditions making a return is higher while the “heat dome” remains in place above European countries like Spain, France and Portugal. If this slow-moving area of high pressure (which originated in North Africa) were to “wobble”, another plume of heat could arrive in the UK, possibly triggering another heatwave.

Even if there isn’t another heatwave this summer, the Met Office has warned that extreme weather conditions will likely become more frequent in the future because of climate change.

Its medium-term forecast reads: “Temperatures likely above average through the period, especially in the southeast where it may be very warm at times.”

The lowdown for August 3 until August 17 continues: “Into the beginning of August confidence is low, with more changeable conditions possible, but still a lot of dry weather at times.”

Prof Hannah Cloke, natural hazards expert at Reading University, said: “We’re going to hopefully see an end to this in a couple of days time but there is a remaining risk of going back up again in a week or so afterwards”.

In the meantime, the Met Office has said that the UK is in for cooler temperatures for the remainder of this week. The North East is expected to see cloudy and showery conditions, with temperatures in the late teens and early twenties.

Meanwhile, parts of the South East, London and East of England are set to be hit by heavy showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday, with a yellow warning in place from 1pm until 9pm. The Met Office has told those living in these areas to expect flooding or lightning strikes.