UK weather: Is there going to be a 40 degree heatwave?

11 July 2023, 13:51 | Updated: 1 August 2023, 09:56

By Naomi Bartram

@naomibartram

The Met Office UK weather forecast isn't looking too promising of a heatwave in the next few days but could we see 40C again before the end of the month? Here's what experts have said.

After the hottest June on record, July has got off to a wet and blustery start with many Brits searching for summer and the next heatwave, particularly as the school summer holidays approach.

However, despite much disappointment in the current weather situations according to the Met Office, things are looking up for the middle to end of July as conditions become more settled.

Meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey told GB news: “Towards the middle to the end of July there is an increasing chance that high pressure may become established.

• Listen now on Global Player: Love Island The Morning After podcast is BACK for 2023 with all the gossip from this year's villa

“On balance northern areas are more likely to see drier conditions with southern areas seeing greater risk of showers and thunderstorms.

"We can say there is a greater than normal chance of heat waves for the whole period of the middle to the end of July.

“We got 40C last year and before that happened no one thought there was an outside chance. There’s also a possibility we do continue to see those trends.”

• Inside Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash's holiday without kids as they party in Austria
• Moment hotel worker gets revenge on 'sunbed hoggers' at Majorca resort
• Brits could be turned away from Spain under new travel rules

He added: “Because of the change in climate our extreme temperatures are continuously being pushed. There is an increasing chance these extremes could get pushed further.”

Weather charts predict the hottest part of the month will be from 12th July to 26th July, according to the Met Office.

While the sunshine will be back in a couple of weeks, there is set to be more rain before we get there.

The Met Office is warning outbreaks of rain will move east across Scotland over the weekend, with showers expected across England and Wales over the weekend.

The three day weather forecast states: “Things are remaining changeable on Saturday with outbreaks of rain and brisk winds across the north.

“A dry day elsewhere with sunny spells, feeling warm in the south and cooler in the north.”

It adds: “Dry for many on Sunday and Monday with sunny spells, though scattered showers and some persistent rain in the northwest.

“More widespread outbreaks of rain possible on Tuesday with temperatures near average.”