UK weather maps show new 34C heat surge with 15 counties reaching 31C or more

UK weather maps show new 34C heat surge with 15 counties reaching 31C or more Weather forecasting models suggest temperatures in the UK could soon rise to 34C once more after the Met Office suggested new heatwaves may be on their way The Met Office has said more heatwaves may be on the horizon, and now weather forecasting models suggest temperatures could surge as high as 34C within the next fortnight. Temperatures are expected to remain in the mid to low-20s in southern areas this week, dropping into the high teens in northern areas. Rain is also forecast across large swathes of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England - a welcome reprieve from the scorching dry spells that have plunged several areas into drought this summer. However, it appears as if the relatively cool temperatures won’t last too long. The GFS model shows the mercury could rise back to 30C in eastern parts of England on September 1. The data shows potential highs of 29C coming in the Midlands, with temperatures possibly rising to 28C as far north as Yorkshire, and to 26C in South Wales. Even warmer conditions could then follow on September 2. The data shows potential highs of 34C in Essex, with 32-33C on the cards quite widely across eastern and south-eastern England. Temperature anomaly maps for the start of September show England and Wales shaded in areas of orange and red. This suggests temperatures will rise above the seasonal average once more. In total, the GFS model suggests 15 counties could see temperatures of 31C or more at the start of September. They are all in eastern or south-eastern England. UK counties facing 31C or more - Lincolnshire - Northamptonshire - Norfolk - Suffolk - Cambridgeshire - Bedfordshire - Buckinghamshire - Hertfordshire - Essex - Oxfordshire - Berkshire - Hampshire - Surrey - Kent - Sussex Met Office weather forecast In its forecast for September 2 to September 16, the Met Office says “late season hot spells or heatwaves” could develop - particularly in southern areas. However “a broad northwest-southeast split in conditions” is on the cards, with more northern areas facing “the lion's share of the rain and any strong winds” while southern areas are likely to be drier. The Met Office declares an official heatwave when temperatures hit the ‘heatwave threshold’ three days in a row. The threshold stands at 28C in the south-east, where conditions tend to be warmer, and drops to 25C the further away from the south-east you go.