PARTS of the UK are set to face soaring temperatures after two earlier record-breaking heatwaves – but Scotland is not expected to be impacted as much as England and Wales.
The Met Office predicts temperatures to rise throughout the next week to a peak of around 36 degrees celsius in south-east England by Thursday.
However, forecasts are showing a north-south split, with Scotland and Northern Ireland set to face periods of heavy rainfall and milder temperatures, while England and Wales remain drier and warmer.
On Wednesday, August 12, temperatures in London are predicted to hit 30 degrees celsius, with highs of 29 in Manchester and 24 in Glasgow. Aberdeen is expected to reach 21.
This trend continues on Thursday, August 13, with London highs of 32 degrees celsius compared to Glasgow's 19.
Deputy chief forecaster Mike Silverstone said: “Temperatures will climb through the weekend and, more significantly, through much of next week.
“After a brief dip on Monday, high pressure will move across the UK before settling to the east, allowing a southerly flow to develop.
“A fairly widespread heatwave is likely across large parts of England and Wales, with hot conditions developing in places.
“The heat is expected to peak for much of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland on Wednesday, with up to 34C possible in parts of central and southern England and south-east Wales.
“East Anglia and south-east England, however, could see temperatures even higher on Thursday.
“Humidity levels are also expected to increase through the week, which may make conditions feel more uncomfortable, particularly overnight.”
This summer has seen two record-breaking UK heatwaves, in May and June, that led to more than 2800 excess deaths, and two more heatwaves in July which have fuelled drought and wildfires.
The highest temperature of the year was 38 degrees celsius recorded at Lingwood in Norfolk on June 28.
In Scotland, firefighters remain on the scene in the Cairngorms where a wildfire devastated more than 25 square kilometres of land.
The emergency exclusion zone was lifted partially on Friday, but some areas remain cordoned off.
A £3 million support package has been funded by the Scottish Government to support businesses that have been forced to close or that have been disrupted.
