The United Kingdom is preparing for another heatwave next week, with temperatures in certain regions reaching the mid-30s.
The forecast comes at a time when water suppliers are being “seriously pushed” to implement hosepipe bans after a handful of providers took steps to combat the impacts of the United Kingdom’s protracted dry weather.
The period of hot weather is expected to begin on Sunday, with England and Wales experiencing a sunny morning and plenty of sunshine during the afternoon.
By 3 p.m., temperatures in the southeast of England will reach a high of 27 degrees Celsius (80.6 degrees Fahrenheit), while rain is likely to persist throughout the day in western Scotland.
At the end of the following week, though, a region of high pressure will rise into the south and southwest of England, bringing even higher temperatures.
On Monday, high temperatures are expected to reach 28C (82.4F), with an increase to 29C (84.2F) on Tuesday.
The Met Office predicts that by Wednesday, portions of the south could reach 31 degrees Celsius (87.8 degrees Fahrenheit) and by Sunday, they could reach the middle 30s.
In the northwestern regions of the United Kingdom, wetter conditions are anticipated as rain-bearing fronts make modest progress against high pressure.
To qualify as a heatwave, temperatures must reach 28 degrees Celsius in London and 25 degrees Celsius in the majority of the country for three consecutive days.
“Next week, this area of high pressure will remain, and temperatures will continue to rise,” said Alex Deakin, a forecaster from the Met Office.
“This time, Spain and Portugal are not experiencing extreme heat, but due to high pressure and sunshine, temperatures could reach the low 30s in the south and the mid-20s in eastern Scotland by Wednesday.
“The uncertainty around the end of the week is dependent on this weather front. It might move south, and as it is a cold front, it would bring cooler weather.
However, other computer models predict that the weather front will remain to the north, allowing temperatures to soar further by the end of next week.
Despite the forecast heatwave, it is highly improbable that the United Kingdom would experience temperatures comparable to July’s record-breaking highs when thermometers in some locations reached 40 degrees Celsius.
Extreme heat in July fueled major wildfires, buckled train rails, melted roadways, and drove schoolchildren home.
As a result of extended dry conditions, water suppliers have been asked to implement a hosepipe ban, according to the most recent weather forecast.
This restriction has already been enforced in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, with Sussex, Kent, and Pembrokeshire to follow later this month.
August temperatures are typically lower than July temperatures since the sun is lower in the sky and there are fewer daylight hours.
According to the Met Office, it is too early to tell how long the current heat wave will endure, but there are signs of a return to more variable temperatures later in the month.
