UK forecast predicts 38°C heatwave on July 29

Forecasters are predicting the United Kingdom will experience its most intense heatwave of the summer later this month, with temperatures potentially reaching 38 degrees Celsius and setting a new record for the hottest day of the year. The peak of the extreme heat is expected on July 29, according to advanced weather models.

The Global Forecast System (GFS) model indicates temperatures will begin to rise significantly from July 27, reaching the low 30s Celsius across southern and western England. Conditions are forecast to intensify on July 28, with highs of 35C possible. The following day, July 29, is projected to be the most severe, with the mercury potentially hitting 38C across large swathes of western, central, and eastern England. Some models suggest as many as 15 counties could reach that peak temperature, with highs of 37C possible as far north as Yorkshire.

This predicted event would surpass the current highest temperature of 2026, which was 37.7C recorded in Lingwood, Norfolk, on June 26. It would also mark the fourth significant heatwave of the UK's summer, following hot spells in May, June, and earlier in July. Temperature anomaly maps for the period show England and...