UK weather maps show most intense heatwave yet is coming as 15 counties hit 38C

UK weather maps show most intense heatwave yet is coming as 15 counties hit 38C Brits could face the hottest day of the year before the end of July as weather forecasting models now show heatwave temperatures surging as high as 38C Another temperature record may be broken before the end of this month as 15 counties could see the mercury rise as high as 38C. That would constitute the hottest day of the year so far - warmer than any of the three heatwaves the UK has seen in 2026. The current record is 37.7C, which came in Lingwood, Norfolk on June 26. The GFS weather model shows temperatures rising into the 30s once more on July 27, peaking at 33C in western England and reaching 32C quite widely across southern areas. Temperatures should then rise again on July 28, reaching 35C in southern and western England. Highs of 34C are possible in the Midlands and eastern areas, with temperatures reaching 31C in northern areas. The data suggests July 29 could be the hottest day of the year, with the mercury rising to 38C across huge swathes of western, central and eastern England. Highs of 37C are on the cards from the south up to Yorkshire, according to the GFS model predictions. Temperature anomaly maps for July 29 show a similar picture, with England and Wales shaded in dark red. This indicates temperatures will soar well above the seasonal average. In total, the GFS model run suggests as many as 15 counties could reach 38C on July 29. All of them are in England. UK counties facing 38C heatwave - Lincolnshire - Leicestershire - Northamptonshire - Cambridgeshire - Shropshire - Staffordshire - Warwickshire - Gloucestershire - Herefordshire - Worcestershire - Oxfordshire - Buckinghamshire - Bedfordshire - Hertfordshire - Berkshire Met Office weather forecast Friday was the 13th consecutive day when temperatures reached 30C or more in the UK, the Met Office said. That streak is expected to end today (Saturday) with highs of 28C forecast. The Met Office said it is too soon to say whether heatwave conditions will last beyond the next 10 days and towards the end of July. However, the Met Office forecast for July 22 to July 31 says more “above average” conditions are possible, with temperatures expected to be highest in the south. Temperatures tomorrow (Sunday) are expected to reach 26C in southern regions and 24C in the north - making it the coolest day in the UK for more than two weeks. Similar temperatures are expected on Monday.