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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Cathy Owen & Matt Gibson

UK weather: Thunderstorms forecast this week but new heatwave could hit later in month

The UK's extended dry spell will be broken this week as rain and thunderstorms are forecast.

But it will still feel muggy until Wednesday for many Britons, with some areas expected to bask in temperatures of up to 29C.

And while the humidity at the start of the week won't get close to the extreme heat experienced nationwide in the middle of July, another heatwave cannot be ruled out for later in August.

Greg Dewhurst, a Met Office forecaster, said: "A changeable picture will emerge over the coming days with it being on the warm and humid side for many.

Heavy rain is being forecast (Getty Images)

"It will be warm and muggy and there will be plenty of cloud as high pressure builds on Monday, the day starting sunny and dry before turning wet and windy in north-eastern and western parts of the UK.

“There’s going to be a very muggy feel, more so at night, so expect an uncomfortable time sleeping, with temperatures in the late teens.”

The Met Office says temperatures in London and the south east could soar as high as 29C on Tuesday, before turning sunnier and cooler from the middle of the week thanks to a change in wind direction.

Weather for Monday August 1, 2022 (Met Office)

Forecasters are warning that an “odd rumble of thunder may be heard in isolated areas”.

Respite from the uncomfortably hot temperatures of a couple of weeks ago, however, may be short lived as the highs of July have the potential to be repeated during "a very warm spell in the south" that is being predicted for the middle of August.

A so-called "heat dome" remains in place above European countries like Spain, France and Portugal where there is slow-moving area of high pressure, which originated in North Africa.

Muggy weather is expected during the first half of the week (WXCharts)

It means that another plume of heat could arrive in the UK, with bookmakers William Hill making August 5/2 to produce the UK's hottest day of the year in 2022, while it's 11/4 for the mercury to reach 40C.

They are also offering even-money on the temperature peaking between 35-39.9C next month as the heat continues to linger in the British air.

William Hill spokesman, Tony Kenny, said: "July produced the hottest temperatures we've ever seen in the UK, and it seems that there are more sweltering temperatures on the horizon."

While it is still too early to tell, the Met Office long range UK forecast for Sunday, August 14, to Sunday, August 28, says: " Dry weather likely to continue in this period for many, but still a chance of some periods of organised rain in the north which may make incursions further south at times, especially towards the end of the month.

"For the south and southeast any precipitation is most likely in the form of showers and thunderstorms, although most areas are likely to be drier than average. Temperatures likely continuing to be widely above normal, with the potential for a very warm spell in the south."

Meanwhile, England faces a drought in August if the hot and dry weather continues.

Officials from the National Drought Group held crunch talks on Sunday on how to tackle the conditions and protect water supplies.

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