The UK’s mercury is set to turn up a notch by the end of the month to 33C, as a meteorologist admits it is a “distinct possibility” that such heat will ravage the country.
A blistering surge from North Africa, Spain and France could begin pushing northwards towards Britain before September, with London and the south east set for dangerously hot weather.
According to new weather maps, the upturn in temperatures will begin next week, from Wednesday, August 16 – when highs of 26C will be felt inland.
This could increase to about 28C by the weekend, with Sunday, August 20 to scoop the hottest conditions – a whopping 33C across London, Kent, Sussex and Hampshire with the rest of the south-east baking in 30C heat.
By the last week of August, the humidity will certainly stick around, maps indicate, with 33C thermometer readings staying put until at least the end of the day.
Early indicators show that temperatures may begin to slip by August 22, but only by around five degrees – which adds a glimmer of hope that the country will see a snapshot of summer before autumn sets in.
Jim Dale, senior meteorologist for British Weather Services, said this is entirely plausable because the globe now exists in a “new abnormal”.
He told Express.co.uk: “We’re in the world of the ‘new abnormal’ now and we are still in August so anything is possible. The charts are indeed onside.
“There are long ways to go to August 20, but hot plumes coming over from North Africa, Spain and France are more likely than not now given what July delivered. Pencil it in as a distinct possibility.”
From Friday, August 11 up until August 20, the Met Office’s long-range forecast hints towards a warmer period, but it does not categorically predict such highs.
It says: “High pressure will sit to the east of the UK bringing dry and fine conditions to the southeast and allow low pressure systems bringing cloud and rain into the northwest.
“Some low cloud and coastal mist are also possible in the south at times. Winds are likely to be light for most, though stronger in the north. Temperatures will near to or slightly above average.”
But from August 21 to September 4, the concept of the heat continuing into the steady decline of autumn, is mixed. It adds: “A changeable pattern is most probable through the latter part of August and into early September.
“This is likely to bring a mixture of some dry, settled weather but also some spells of wetter, more unsettled conditions.
“There is a risk of some heavy rain or thunderstorms at times. Temperatures are expected to be close to average for the time of the year, but some warmer spells are also possible.”
