UK weather maps turn volcanic red for 39C scorcher as Met Office issues heatwave verdict | Weather | News
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 22: A woman closes her eyes while lying in the sun during sunny warm weather in St James’s Park on June 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo: John Keeble/Getty Images) (Image: John Keeble, Getty Images)
The Met Office has announced its verdict on the next heatwave as weather maps turn red with a scorching 39 degrees on the horizon.
The forecaster’s latest update comes after warning that another heatwave is “increasingly likely” in the next 30 days.
London is expected to be sweltered by a staggering 39 degrees, while the UK is bracing for extremely high temperatures next week, with temperatures peaking on Thursday (July 9), according to Net Weather maps.
If these temperatures occur, new records will be broken.
Last week, the hottest June day in UK history (37.7 degrees) was recorded at Lingwood in Norfolk, east of Norwich, on Friday 26 June.
Mandatory Credit: Photo: Lafargue Raphael/ABACA/Shutterstock (16959395cz)People lie on the grass while swimming in the Saint Martin Canal during a heat wave in Paris on June 24, 2026. According to Meteo-France, France experienced its hottest day ever recorded on June 24, 2026, surpassing the record set the previous day. People swimming in the Saint Martin Canal – Paris, France – June 24, 2026 (Image: Lafargue Raphael/ABACA/Shutterstock)
This surpassed the 37.3C recorded at Santon Downham in Suffolk on the same day.
According to Net Weather maps, the temperature is expected to reach 39 degrees in the capital and neighboring Berkshire, while the temperature is expected to rise to 38 degrees in Hertfordshire.
Similarly, temperatures of 38 degrees will be experienced in Gloucestershire, while other parts of the south-west will also reach temperatures above 30 degrees.
Further north, scorching conditions are expected, with Cheshire predicting temperatures of 35C.
Maps show the highest temperature was 39C (Image: Net Weather)
Ahead of the expected heatwave, a new heat warning has been issued for the south of England and parts of the Midlands from 12:00 on Saturday, July 4, until 17:00 on Wednesday, July 8.
The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) has warned that the upcoming hot weather could put significant pressure on health and social care services, following a number of critical incidents declared during the previous extreme heat crisis.
Met Office deputy head of forecasting Tony Wisson said: “Towards the end of the week, high pressure will continue to build across much of the UK, starting with the Azores.
“This will lead to more settled, warm or very hot conditions for many people, particularly in England and Wales, although some rain may still affect the far north.
“Forecasts for this weekend suggest temperatures could approach the high 20°C in parts of England, perhaps 30°C in parts of the south-east, and mid to high 20°C in Wales.
“Although a return to heatwave conditions appears increasingly likely in some areas, the likelihood of extremely high temperatures or high humidity levels like last week is currently low.”
