When is the next UK heatwave? Met Office weather forecast - will there be another hot spell in August 2022

The UK has had three major heatwaves during summer 2022, with the most recent between 11 and 14 August reaching highs of 34C.

In July, England, Scotland and Wales all set temperature records, with a new UK maximum of 40.3C set in Lincolnshire on 19 July.

These extreme temperatures have coincided with one of the worst droughts in England and Wales for decades, with several water companies having been forced into imposing hosepipe bans as a result.

Experts say these climate change-related extremes are set to become the ‘new normal’ in future UK summers.

So, is the UK in line for another heatwave in August - and what is the latest Met Office forecast predicting?

What is the UK weather forecast?

With little more than a week of August remaining, time is running out for the UK to experience another significant heatwave.

And over the next 48 hours, the emphasis will be on cloud and rain rather than hot, sunny spells.

A band of rain is currently moving eastwards across the UK, with the North West, Yorkshire and Scotland likely to see the heaviest downpours.

Cloud will dominate over much of the rest of the country.

Temperatures are expected to climb to 25℃ in inland parts of Lincolnshire, and will be in the 20s across much of England and Wales.

Scotland and Northern Ireland will see the mercury hit the mid-to-late teens.

As Monday turns into Tuesday (22 August), showers could hit some parts of the East and East Anglia.

Tuesday morning will be dry for most, with some showers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and another band of rain hitting the west of Scotland.

As the day wears on, some of the showers are likely to be heavy.

The highest temperatures are likely to be seen in London, the home counties, East Anglia and Lincolnshire with a high of 26℃ forecast for Norwich.

It will also be a warm day in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - particularly in inland areas where temperatures could exceed 20℃.

Overnight into Wednesday (24 August), a band of heavy rainfall is expected to sweep in from the South West, with Wales and the Midlands forecast to see some torrential rain.

Temperatures are expected to creep up during the day, with a temperature of 27℃ currently expected to be widespread across East Anglia and the South East - although the Met Office says heat in excess of 30℃ could be seen in some areas.

Cooler conditions will pervade across the West of the UK - although they will still be in the high teens.

At present, Wednesday looks like it will see the best of the temperatures this week, as Thursday and Friday will see the mercury slide back down towards the low 20s.

London is forecast to reach the mid-20s on both days, with most of the rest of England and Wales likely to be a couple of degrees cooler.

Scotland and Northern Ireland will see temperatures in the mid-teens across most parts.

Will there be another UK heatwave?

While the August bank holiday could see good spells of weather, another heatwave matching those we’ve already seen this summer appears to be increasingly unlikely.

The Met Office says this is because daylight hours get shorter as September approaches and the lower position of the sun in the sky compared to July means it is less powerful.

However, the weather forecaster does predict that conditions will become sunnier and drier as this week wears on due to an area of high pressure that’s building to the West of the UK.

“There will certainly be more sunshine around for many over the weekend however it is unlikely to be entirely dry,” said Met Office deputy chief meteorologist, Helen Caughey.

“There is a risk of heavier showers initially in the far South or South East to start the weekend, with cloudier and wetter weather at times in the North West through Saturday and Sunday.

“Monday will likely be a widespread day of sunshine and showers, which could break out just about anywhere, but should be relatively short lived, and some areas likely escaping them altogether.

“For most though, it will feel warm and pleasant in any sunshine, but chillier than of late in the evenings and overnight, especially in more rural areas.”

The Met Office says it expects high pressure to remain dominant into September, with “very warm” weather expected in some areas.

Even if temperatures do not climb again until next Spring, the Met Office says extreme heat events are likely to become more frequent in future as a result of climate change.

The 40℃ temperatures seen in July are currently once in every 100 to 300 year events, but could become as common as once in every 15 year occurrences by 2100.

It comes as a major heatwave continues to scorch many parts of southern Europe.

Major wildfires have hit Portugal, Spain and France over the last week, while Greece continues to be affected by extreme temperatures.