UK on Alert for Mini Heatwave as Temperatures Could Hit 33°C Next Week
Britain is gearing up for a burst of intense summer heat, with forecasters predicting a mini heatwave that could send temperatures soaring to 33°C in just a matter of days.
A plume of hot air from continental Europe is set to sweep across the country, with weather charts showing sweltering highs for the South of England, the Midlands, East Anglia and parts of eastern Wales by midweek. By 6pm on Wednesday, 13 August, some areas could be basking in between 30°C and 33°C.
It’s not just the south feeling the warmth. Cumbria is tipped for 25°C, Yorkshire around 24°C, and North West Wales could see 27°C. Coastal spots and much of Scotland will be cooler, with Aberdeenshire and Stirling lingering near the 20°C mark.
The heat won’t be a one-day wonder. Thursday looks just as hot for southern England, with highs again pushing past 30°C. The north will stay warm, hovering between 21°C and 29°C.
Netweather forecasts the hottest moment could arrive on Tuesday, 12 August, with a scorching 33°C at lunchtime — but warns it might feel closer to 37°C. And the heat won’t ease much after sunset, with temperatures expected to linger at 22°C into the early hours.
Interestingly, while WXCharts predicts another 33°C peak for Wednesday, Netweather suggests it may dip to a more modest 27°C that afternoon.
Senior forecaster Nick Finnis explained the upcoming shift: “High pressure will build from the southwest over the weekend, ushering in drier and sunnier conditions for many.”
London could see 27°C by Sunday, Cardiff around 25°C, and the north settling in the low 20s. Finnis also warned that very warm air from the south could set the stage for a brief but intense heatwave early next week.
One weather expert predicts a strong draw of hot continental air: “Eventually, high pressure will migrate to east of the UK by the middle of next week. This combined with an upper trough and low pressure moving into the west will serve to potentially pull in some very warm air from the south off a hot near continent next week.”
The Met Office’s long-range forecast for 12–21 August adds: “The rather changeable pattern of preceding days will likely still be in place across northwestern areas of the UK at first.
Further southeast, predominantly fine, with a spell of hot weather looking increasingly likely at the start of this period.
Much of England could see high temperatures for at least a couple of days, and there is a possibility that the heat could last further into the week, especially in the south, where there is also the possibility of some thunderstorms.
Beyond this, probably a resumption of somewhat cooler, fresher conditions, with a lot of dry weather to be had in the south under the influence of high pressure. Meanwhile, a rather more changeable and breezier theme will continue further to the north.”
With sizzling afternoons, warm nights, and the chance of storms, Britain’s mini heatwave could make for a dramatic August spell — and possibly the hottest days of the summer so far.
