The UK has already endured three heatwaves this summer, with the latest surge pushing temperatures above 30°C across parts of the country. On July 12, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales recorded their warmest day of the year so far. However, this heat was soon interrupted by intense rainstorms and thunderstorms, accompanied by multiple weather warnings issued nationwide just as Welsh schools began their summer holidays.
Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern explained in a YouTube briefing on July 22 that warmer air was moving into western parts of the UK around July 24. He noted a shift as cold air retreated towards central Europe, allowing hotter air to push in from the southwest. By July 27, a ridge of high pressure was expected to build, leading to drier and sunnier conditions, particularly in the east and southeast, where temperatures could reach 27°C. Meanwhile, the west and northwest might still experience some cloud cover.
Looking ahead, the Met Office has updated its extended forecast, signaling a likely return of “very warm or hot spells” in August. Between August 7 and August 21, weather patterns are expected to transition from variable westerly influences toward more stable high pressure from the southwest. While intermittent showers and drier, brighter intervals may continue early in the month, the latter half of August could see more prolonged dry and settled conditions, especially in southern and eastern regions.
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Temperatures are predicted to hover near or above average throughout August, with a genuine possibility of heatwaves if high pressure dominates for an extended period. The Met Office cautions that forecasting heatwaves beyond a short window remains challenging, so detailed predictions for mid-August will require closer monitoring as the date approaches.
Supporting this outlook, the latest three-month forecast suggests that the UK’s meteorological summer (June 1 to August 31) is twice as likely to be warmer than usual in 2025. However, the coming weeks of late July and early August may bring more average temperatures, dominated by westerly winds, rain, and occasional spells of brighter, more settled weather. Northern and western areas could see wetter and windier conditions, while drier and sunnier spells are more likely in eastern and southern parts, particularly if high pressure strengthens.
Overall, while the UK can expect a mix of weather types in the immediate future, the potential for further hot spells and even heatwaves later in August offers the promise of more summery conditions ahead.