UK climate maps flip blazing crimson and present 39C heatwave set to blast the nation

UK weather is set to heat up again in the next few days as a 39C heatwave is set to scorch parts of the country, with weather maps turning dark red as hot weather sweeps in

While the mercury has dropped this week, forecasts predict a return to warmer climes in just a few days.

The latest weather maps from WXCharts suggest that certain parts of the country could see temperatures nearing a blistering 40C on July 14. The forecast, which uses Met Desk data, indicates that the West Midlands and the South West of England could experience the highest temperatures, rocketing up to 39C.

By 6pm on that day, even areas such as Yorkshire and the Humber could see temperatures of 30C or above. The East Midlands, along with eastern England, could also witness highs of 37C or 38C, according to the weather maps.

On July 14, both the South West and South East of England are expected to endure temperatures in the mid to high 30s, with spots around London predicted to hit 35C, as per the weather maps. Meanwhile, Wales could see temperatures rise to 38C in areas bordering England.

However, Northern Ireland and Scotland will be cooler, with temperatures not anticipated to exceed 30C but reaching peaks of 27C. While July 14 is predicted to be the next sizzling day, these warm conditions are expected to continue for roughly a week from July 11 to July 18, according to the weather maps, reports Cambridgeshire Live.

The Met Office’s long-range forecast for Wednesday, July 9 to Friday, July 18 indicates a clear northwest/southeast divide in weather patterns. “A broad northwest/southeast split in the weather looks most likely through much of this period. Towards the northwest, Atlantic frontal systems will bring occasional rain and cloudier skies at times, along with breezier conditions, though there should be some drier, brighter interludes too.

“Further south and east, high pressure will likely dominate with a fair amount of dry and sunny weather to be had. With this, there is a signal for increasing heat and humidity and the potential for another period of hot weather around the second weekend of July, and possibly lasting into the following week. Whilst a lot of dry weather is likely in the south, thunderstorms are possible at times, though widespread rainfall looks unlikely.”

As we approach the end of July, warm conditions are predicted to persist across the nation, with temperatures generally above average. The Met Office has suggested that we can expect “a continued, and perhaps higher than normal, chance of occasional hot spells, especially further to the southeast.”

As August gets underway, weather forecasters are cautioning that more unsettled conditions could be on the horizon. This warning follows the release of provisional Met Office data, which reveals that England experienced its warmest June on record this year, while the UK as a whole saw its second-hottest June since records began in 1884.

These statistics come hot on the heels of a record-breaking spring, which has been confirmed as the warmest and sunniest ever recorded in the UK.

Dr Amy Doherty, a Climate Scientist at the Met Office, commented: “While we’ve not conducted formal climate attribution studies into June 2025’s two heatwaves, past studies have shown it is virtually certain that human influence has increased the occurrence and intensity of extreme heat events such as this. Numerous climate attribution studies have shown that human influence increased the chance that specific extreme heat events would occur, such as the summer of 2018 and July 2022.”

Dr Doherty also noted: “Our Met Office climate projections indicate that hot spells will become more frequent in our future climate, particularly over the southeast of the UK. Temperatures are projected to rise in all seasons, but the heat would be most intense in summer.”

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.