Hot weather maps show exact date 39C heat surge hits UK in days

Britain has been basking in scorching temperatures and later this month the mercury could rise to almost 40C, weather maps suggest. England saw the hottest June on record and the baking conditions have continued into this month.

Amber alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office were in place until Wednesday for various parts of the country, with warnings that temperatures could rise as high as 35C. Forecast data collected on July 4 by WXCHARTS.COM, which uses Met Desk data, indicates the blast of Mediterranean-style heat isn't going anywhere soon, with multiple parts of the country seeing top temperatures in the high 30s on Monday, July 14. The latest maps suggest by 6pm UTC (7pm BST) that day, vast swathes of Great Britain will be blanketed in deep red indicating steaming heat, with temps in 30s as far north as Yorkshire and the Humber.

Temperatures in the West Midlands and down into the South West of England could be the highest, rising up to 39C, the forecast suggests.

Multiple other areas of England could be basking in the high 30s, including temps of 37C and 38C in the East Midlands, and as high as 37C in the western end of the East of England.

The South West and South East of England are also expected to see temperatures in the mid to high 30s, with temperatures at highs of around 35C in areas around London, according to the weather map.

Wales looks set to be hit with between 20C and as much as 38C in areas on the English border at this time, though it will be slightly cooler in Northern Ireland and Scotland, with temps ranging between 19 and 20C, and 13 and 27C respectively.

The Met Office's long range forecast, covering Wednesday, July 9 to Friday, July 18 anticipates a "broad northwest/southeast split in the weather" looking "most likely" through much of the period.

"Towards the northwest, Atlantic frontal systems will bring occasional rain and cloudier skies at times, along with breezier conditions, though there should be some drier, brighter interludes too," the government agency continues.

"Further south and east, high pressure will likely dominate with a fair amount of dry and sunny weather to be had.

"With this, there is a signal for increasing heat and humidity and the potential for another period of hot weather around the second weekend of July, and possibly lasting into the following week.

"Whilst a lot of dry weather is likely in the south, thunderstorms are possible at times, though widespread rainfall looks unlikely," the Met Office adds.

Meanwhile, this evening and tonight is expected to be "cloudy and windy in the northwest with outbreaks of rain, though drier with a few clear spells across eastern Scotland, northeast England and the east of Northern Ireland".

"Cloud and increasingly patchy rain moving south across England and Wales. Mild," the national weather service adds.

Saturday is expected to bring outbreaks of rain affecing western Scotland and southwest England, with conditions set to be: "Rather cloudy elsewhere with patchy drizzle, though some warm bright spells across eastern Scotland and eastern England. Breezy, but humid."

A yellow weather warning for rain covering multiple local authorities in Central, Tayside & Fife, Highlands & Eilean Siar, and Strathclyde has been in effect since 6am today until 3pm tomorrow.

People in affected areas are warned to expect: "Persistent, heavy rain on Friday and Saturday", bringing "difficult travel conditions and possible flooding in places".