Will the hot weather return? What the Met Office says about another heatwave as UK temperatures drop

THE mercury has dropped sharply since last week’s 38.1C, leaving the UK a cooler, wetter place. But the Met Office says hot spells could still return this summer, raising the prospect of the year’s sixth heatwave. Much of the UK will be hit with rain this week Credit: PA But the Met Office says another heatwave could be on the way Credit: Alamy Will the hot weather return? From August 23 to September 1, the Met Office expects a largely dry and settled start as a ridge of high pressure builds, with a few showers in the far north and possibly the far southeast. Conditions look set to turn increasingly unsettled through next week as low pressure takes charge and squeezes that ridge away to the northeast. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Most areas are expected to see some showers or heavy rain, particularly towards the end of next week, and there’s a risk of wind, hail and thunder. Temperatures are forecast to sit near or just below average, with some chilly nights at first, but brief warm and humid spells are still possible, particularly in the south. But things could change from September 1, with the forecaster raising the prospect of another heatwave. The Met Office said: “As we move into the start of meteorological autumn, signals for the prevailing weather patterns affecting the UK are weak, thus something close to the climatological norm is most likely. “This means a broad northwest-southeast split in conditions, with higher pressure becoming centred close to the south of the UK and lower pressure towards the north and northwest. “The north and northwest will probably see the lion’s share of the rain and any strong winds, whilst the south and southeast will probably see the driest and sunniest weather. Most read in The Sun “Temperatures are likely to be above average overall. “There is a chance that late season hot spells or heatwaves develop, especially in the south.” This would follow the fifth heatwave of a record-breaking summer, which brought highs of 38.1C in Kew Gardens, London, on Thursday last week – the hottest day of the year so far. What is the weather forecast this week? The Met Office said today will be cloudy for much of the UK, with outbreaks of rain mainly in the west and heavier bursts across northern Scotland. Sunny spells are expected to develop from the west, with showers hitting Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England, and it will feel slightly cooler overall. Sunshine is predicted to linger in the far south this evening before cloud thickens from the west, bringing drizzle to much of England and Wales. Rain will clear the far southeast on Wednesday, with sunny spells developing for the most part. Heavy, persistent showers across Scotland will spread more widely through the day with thunder possible in places. A northerly wind will develop between Thursday and Saturday, dragging temperatures below average. Thundery showers are forecast for Thursday and Friday, before it turns brighter and drier on Saturday. Comment now