A UK heatwave is forecast to return at the start of August, with temperatures possibly reaching the high 30s Celsius in several areas, and the Met Office warns August could bring above-normal temperatures with occasional summertime thunderstorms, especially in the south.

By the weekend of July 31, the south is expected to bear the hottest conditions, with London around 32C and Sussex and Gloucestershire potentially hitting 36C and 37C respectively.

Temperatures are projected to be highest in the east, with the Midlands near 38C, Yorkshire around 37C, and Wales potentially reaching 31C-32C, while Scotland and Northern Ireland stay below 30C.

Weather models, notably the GFS, indicate temperatures rising from July 29, with southeast highs around 31C on July 29 and up to 41C in parts of eastern England on August 1.

The article frames this as a potential record-breaking heatwave, referencing the standing UK heat record of 40.3C set in July 2022.

Early forecasts suggest widespread highs of 40C or more across 10 eastern counties, including Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Surrey, Kent, and Sussex.