It’s finally going to cool down this weekend – but not for long

If you’re fed up of sweating through yet another heatwave, rejoice – we’re finally in for some respite.

The nation has been suffering through record-breaking spells of extreme heat since May in three separate heatwaves, causing thousands of excess deaths and sparking wildfires across the country.

But it’s going to cool down at long last this weekend, particularly in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England – where maximum temperatures could be up to seven degrees lower on Saturday than on Thursday.

However, it will by no means be cold.

In fact, conditions will still be warmer than average across much of the country, including in the Midlands, Wales and in southern England – where many of this year’s temperature records have been set.

Maximum temperatures in these regions are set to hover between 25°C and 27°C.

There is also no forecast for significant rain, despite parts of the country having endured up to a month with no rainfall.

This is because of high pressure centred on the west of the UK, dragging hot and dry conditions out to early next week.

When will the warm weather come back?

The cooler conditions won’t last long, with the heatwave in parts of England and Wales set to enter its third week.

Meteorologist Jim NR Dale from the British Weather Services previously told Metro the current heatwave may not ease up in earnest until July 26.

‘We live in extraordinarily self-inflicted and dangerous times, with much more to come,’ Dale said, adding: ‘It’ll become progressively hotter again during next week, again more especially across southern counties of the UK.’

The Met Office says the last time temperatures in London exceeded the heatwave threshold for so long was in 2003, when the mercury soared above average levels for 13 days straight.

‘The record we have for the longest heatwave across Greater London was back in 1976 with 16 days,’ the national weather service said.

‘But it’s important to note that the heatwave criteria did not exist then and has been updated since it was introduced.’