UK weather: Heatwave conditions to return as temperatures to peak at 35C

For most of England and Wales the third heatwave of the year ended last weekend when cooler air arrived, dropping maximum temperatures widely to 20-24C.

However, two locations – Usk and Exeter – have continued to just reach their heatwave criteria since then and have now reached 20 consecutive days – the longest run so far this year.

As temperatures drop further over the weekend, and parts of the UK see a little rain, even these local heatwaves are likely to come to an end.

However, it may only be a temporary break.

Next week, high pressure is set to build close to the south of the UK meaning rain-bearing weather fronts will stall.

Any wet weather will become confined to northern and western areas – especially north-west Scotland – and in southern parts of the UK temperatures look set to climb once again.

This could well mean a fourth heatwave is on the cards – although according to the Met Office isolated high temperatures might not be enough.

They say that: “If only one or two stations reach heatwave criteria, that would not be defined as a heatwave.”