Met Office forecasters say conditions could soon turn ‘very warm again’ in the UK, and weather models suggest we may see the hottest day on record during a new heatwave
14:33, 20 Jul 2026Updated 16:01, 20 Jul 2026
Europe weather map forecasts scorching temperatures
Brits could soon face the hottest day the UK has ever seen as weather models show temperatures potentially rising as high as 41C.
The current record is 40.3C, which came during the scorching heatwave of July 2022, but now data suggests temperatures may rise as high as 41C as yet another heatwave looms.
The Met Office says conditions could turn “very warm again by the start of August”, and the GFS weather model shows temperatures rising steadily from July 29 when highs of 31C are possible in the south-east of England.
Highs of 30C are possible in southern England on July 30, with maps then showing potential 31C highs in south-western areas on July 31. Temperatures could reach 30C in Wales too on July 31, according to the GFS model.
The model then shows a massive spike in temperatures on August 1. Staggering highs of 41C are shown in the east of England, with a chunk of the country from Sussex up to Lincolnshire - including London - potentially seeing 40C.
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Highs of 38C are possible in the Midlands, with 37C on the cards in Yorkshire. Parts of Wales - close to the border with England - could see 31C or 32C, although peak temperatures are expected to remain below 30C in Scotland and below 25C in Northern Ireland.
Temperature anomaly maps for August 31 show England and Wales shaded in deep red and black. This indicates where temperatures are expected to rise well above the seasonal average.
In total, the GFS model suggests 10 counties could see highs of 40C or more. They are all in the east of England.
UK counties facing 40C or more
- Lincolnshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Northamptonshire
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
- Hertfordshire
- Middlesex
- Surrey
- Kent
- Sussex
Met Office weather forecast
The Met Office’s forecast for the rest of July says conditions are expected to be “warmest in the south”. It adds that temperatures could potentially become “very warm again by the start of August”.
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More of the same is on the cards later in August too. The Met Office forecast for August 2 to August 16 states: “Temperatures will very likely remain above normal, with potential for further hot spells, particularly in the south.”
However, there will also be a risk of storms. It adds: “Although most areas may see dry weather for much of the period, occasional summertime thunderstorms are possible on some days given the right ingredients.”