The UK's scorching summer shows no signs of letting up, with forecasters warning of a fourth heatwave on the horizon. Temperatures are set to soar to 35C next week, putting the country's infrastructure and residents under renewed pressure.
Sunday's brief respite from the heat brought cloudy skies and light rain to southern and eastern areas, knocking temperatures down by a few degrees. This offered some relief for communities like Usk in Monmouthshire and Exeter in Devon, which had endured 21 consecutive days above the heatwave threshold. The mid-20s Celsius in the South East and mid-teens further north were still sweltering conditions.
However, this temporary reprieve is expected to be short-lived as high pressure builds close to the south of the UK, pushing rain-bearing weather fronts away and leaving southern areas vulnerable to another significant temperature climb. Warmer air from the continent will fuel the heatwave, with England and Wales set for temperatures between 25C and 32C throughout next week.
Central and eastern England will initially bear the brunt of the heat by Tuesday, before it spreads northwards and westwards. Wednesday is currently forecast to be the hottest day of the week, with East Wales and most of England potentially reaching temperatures between 30C and 35C. Scotland and Northern Ireland will also experience warmer conditions, but generally remain cooler than the south.
The Met Office is keeping a close eye on the situation, with some computer models predicting an even more intense heatwave by midweek. The duration of this impending heatwave beyond next weekend remains uncertain, with forecasts suggesting a potential return to cooler weather and Atlantic systems bringing rain and westerly winds. For southern areas struggling with drought, dry conditions may persist – but only if a southerly or westerly wind develops.