Advanced weather modelling maps suggest a ‘heat dome’ could be developing over the UK, which will sending temperatures soaring back above 30C following the end of the current heatwave
Temperatures in the UK finally appear to be cooling down following three consecutive days where the mercury rose above 30C, but weather forecasters expect heatwave conditions to return sooner rather than later.
Today (Friday, August 2) the Met Office expects highs of 28C in eastern England, 25C to 26C in the Midlands and south, and low-20Cs elsewhere in the UK. And Saturday (August 3) is expected to be a few notches cooler across the board.
However, experts say we are just days away from a return to heatwave conditions, with a “heat dome” potentially developing over the country. A heat dome occurs when a high pressure system in the upper atmosphere traps hot air below, causing the air to sink and compress – leading to rising temperatures on the ground.
According to Exacta Weather forecaster James Madden, weather models show this scenario could develop from next Saturday (August 10), lasting until at least August 15. He reckons “exceptionally hot” conditions could be on the cards, with temperatures potentially staying above 20C overnight and hitting the “mid to high 30Cs” in places during the daytime.
Advanced weather modelling maps from WX Charts are now starting to show an increase in temperatures for in and around the middle of this month. For August 15, they show temperatures possibly reaching 30C again in south-east England, with other southern regions hovering in the high-20Cs.
And for August 17, the maps show temperatures hitting 32C in the south-east, 30C to 31C in other southern and eastern regions, and mid to high-20Cs across much of the rest of England and Wales. The maps don’t indicate any major temperature rises in Northern Ireland and Scotland at this time.
The Met Office’s forecast for August 6 to August 15 states: “Some warm weather or perhaps even short-lived hot spells are likely in the south.” Its forecast for the rest of the month adds: “Warmer than average conditions are most likely, perhaps with some hot spells in the southeast.”
