Will an Iberian heatwave bring soaring temperatures to UK?

Temperatures in Spain will reach over 40C this weekend – will the UK experience similar temperatures?

·Freelance Writer

Updated August 15, 2024 at 7:39 a.m.·3 min read

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: Two girls stand in the spray from the water sprinklers in Parliament Square during the hot weather on August 13, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) — Two girls stand in the spray from the water sprinklers in Parliament Square during the hot weather in London this week. (Getty)

Temperatures across Spain are set to rocket this week – and could result in warm weather remaining across much of the UK.

Forecasters predict that an Iberian heatwave will see parts of the region reach temperatures of up to 42C over the weekend. Popular holiday destinations for Britons like Seville in Spain and Lisbon in Portugal could see these temperatures by Friday and over the following two days.

However, rumours of similar scorching temperatures in the UK are completely unfounded. Nevertheless, the warm summer temperatures that have been felt across the UK this week look set to continue. The Met Office predicts that parts of the country could reach 24C or 25C, with the south and south east set to feel the heat the most.

A mostly dry and clear weekend is expected, but temperatures are not likely to be as high as they were earlier in the week. The temperature reached 34.8C in Cambridge on Monday, marking 2024’s hottest day yet, after the previous record of 31.9C in central London on 19 July.

Spanish temperatures are set to reach 42C over the weekend. (Met Office) — Spanish temperatures are set to reach over 40C at the weekend. (Met Office)

Met Office meteorologist Liam Eslick said: “The south east will probably be the driest part of the country but those temperatures will slowly start to come down towards what we would expect for mid-August, around 22C or 23C.”

Meanwhile, Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon told Yahoo News UK that there was good news for those with weekend plans, as sunny weather is likely to continue.

He said: “The outlook for the weekend weather is for dry weather for many, with some good levels of sunshine at times… Temperatures will peak around the mid-20s in the south, and slightly lower further north."

Read more: UK tourists in Spain warned of 'danger' as 40C heatwave to hit nine areas (Birmingham Live)

Temperatures are expected to reach 24C over the next few days. (Met Office)

Yahoo breaks down what the weather will be like for each region of the UK.

London and the South-East

Thursday

Dry with sunny spells before clouding over in the afternoon. Feeling warm. Maximum temperature 23C.

Friday

Rain gradually clearing to leave a dry, sunny day. Maximum temperature 25C.

South West

Thursday

Cloudy and windy but mostly dry. Some drizzle under the thickest cloud. Humid. Maximum temperature 23C.

Friday

Feeling fresher with warm sunshine. Cloudy at times. Maximum temperature 22C.

Midlands

Thursday

Dry with hazy sunshine before cloud develops in the East Midlands. Patchy rain possible in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 22C.

Cloudy with occasional bright spells in the West Midlands. Blustery wind and rain developing in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 23C.

Friday

Rain clearing to leave sunny spells and light winds. Maximum temperature 23C.

Plenty of warm sunshine in the West Midlands with some cloud. Maximum temperature 22C.

North East

Thursday

Cloudy and wet with heavy bursts of rain. Windy with a risk of gales. Maximum temperature 20C.

Friday

Mostly dry with sunny spells. Winds freshening in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 20C.

A wet and windy start in the north with rain sinking southeastwards ☔

Brighter in the south, with cloud increasing through the morning 🌤️ pic.twitter.com/4b7o2W2SQc
— Met Office (@metoffice) August 14, 2024

North West

Thursday

Cloudy and turning increasingly blustery. Outbreaks of heavy rain. Humid. Maximum temperature 22C.

Friday

Plenty of warm sunshine with cloud bubbling at times. Maximum temperature 20C.

Scotland

Thursday

Cloudy with outbreaks of rain. Some dry and bright spells. Maximum temperature 19C.

Friday

Mostly dry with sunny intervals. Showers possible. Maximum temperature 19C.

The UK will experience plenty of sunshine at the weekend. (Met Office)

Northern Ireland

Thursday

Cloudy with some heavy rain. Drier in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 19C.

Friday

Dry and sunny with some cloud possible. Maximum temperature 19C.

Wales

Thursday

Cloudy and windy with isolated gales. Drizzle and rain expected. Maximum temperature 23C.

Friday

Warm and sunny with some cloud. Maximum temperature 22C.

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