Another heatwave could be on the horizon, the Met Office has predicted, as the UK reels from a month of unprecedented hot and dry conditions.
Temperatures are expected to finally come down next week after the fifth heatwave brought the hottest day of the year so far, with provisional peaks of 38.1C.
But the Met Office has warned there is a chance of a late season heatwave developing in the south as the UK moves into the meteorological autumn.
According to the forecaster’s long term forecast for 30 August to 13 September, “there is a chance that late season hot spells or heatwaves develop, especially in the south.”
The Met Office predicts “drier, more settled weather is slightly more likely towards the south and east. Temperatures are again likely to be near to or above average overall.”
It comes as almost three quarters of England, and all of Wales, has been plunged into drought after the driest July on record.
By 15 July this year the UK had already recorded more days above 30C than in the whole of 1976, which was known for its long-lasting heatwave.
Prime minister Andy Burnham warned just last week that Britain is a “tinderbox” as he visited the West Midlands, where firefighters have been tackling wildfires.
West Midlands Fire Service declared a major incident on Thursday as a wildfire spread across more than 500 acres and destroyed 19 homes in the market town, one of several blazes to ravage the UK this week.
Meanwhile, crews are continuing to fight 14 wildfires in South Wales on Sunday as emergency services warn that risk remains high for next week.
On Friday evening, millions of people in England and Wales received an alert on their mobile devices warning them of a “very high risk of wildfires nationally”.
A temporary ban on disposable barbecues was put in place as the prime minister warned earlier this week that they may have caused some of the wildfires.
“I can’t on this call today say to you that all of them are down to disposable barbecues, they’re not, and I wouldn’t, wouldn’t claim that,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “But it’s probable that some of them have been caused in that in that way.”
Met Office five day forecast
Today:
A rather grey start this morning, with outbreaks of rain across Scotland and Northern Ireland. Largely dry for England and Wales with spells of hazy sunshine developing. Feeling warm in the sunshine across the south, but near average temperatures elsewhere.
Tonight:
Rather cloudy with further outbreaks of rain across northern areas, with the rain heaviest in western Scotland. Mostly dry further south with some clear spells.
Monday:
Remaining cloudy in the north with outbreaks of rain, turning heavier and more persistent later. Further south, hazy sunshine will develop, making it feel very warm and humid.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:
Rain gradually clearing to the south throughout Tuesday introducing fresher conditions. Largely dry in the south Wednesday, otherwise a mix of sunshine and showers. Showers becoming more widespread Thursday.