UK heatwave: Met Office reveals which parts of country will bask in hot weather

Brits are set for more sweltering conditions ahead and here are the parts of the country where we could get "very hot" weather next month.

The UK so far has seen several heatwaves this year and the hottest day was recorded at St James's Park in London on July 1 where the mercury reached 34.7C, while parts of Essex and Kent also topped 33C. In recent weeks the weather has remained largely warm but it has also been mixed with some torrential downpours. And now the Met Office said a return to more prolonged dry and sunny conditions is possible in early August with high pressure expected to build - especially across southern areas of the country.

Forecasters say the second week of the month could bring a more settled pattern nationwide, with above-average temperatures and the potential for warm to hot spells, particularly in the southeast. According to a temperature anomaly map by WXCharts, much of the south east - including London - as well as parts of the south west, will be hotter than usual for the time of year on August 9.

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The Met Office's long-range forecast from August 9 until August 23 reads: "While westerly winds will bring changeable conditions at times, some settled spells are likely to develop during August.

"These bringing more prolonged dry and sunny weather, especially across the south of the country but potentially spreading to all areas at times. Temperatures will likely be near or above average overall. There is a chance of some very warm or hot spells, especially in the south and east."

Advanced weather modelling maps by WXCharts echoes the Met Office's predictions, showing a surge in temperatures beginning Saturday August 9 from 6pm, with the mercury rising dramatically across the country. In London, temperatures could peak at a sweltering 28C, while parts of Gloucestershire, including Cheltenham and the Cotswolds, are forecast to top out at a scorching 31C.

Other hotspots include Cambridge, Peterborough, Northampton, Bath and Bristol, which could reach 29C. Southampton, Cardiff, Nottingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Derby, and Wolverhampton are set to follow closely behind at 28C. Kent and Essex could meanwhile see maximum temperatures of 27C while Manchester could enjoy balmy highs of 25C.

The forecast comes after a brief period of unsettled spells, with showers also set to fall across parts of the UK this weekend and early next week.

BBC Weather's forecast for August 4 to 10 states: "During the first full week of August, opposing weather patterns are still possible. Consequently, some long-term weather trends still indicate ongoing cooler and changeable conditions, with temperatures close to the seasonal average. The latter would be consistent with the synoptic setup described for the end of the previous week.

"However, there is growing confidence in a potential change to the prevailing weather pattern on a larger scale. For example, a stronger high-pressure ridge or an elongated high-pressure zone could move over parts of the United Kingdom and into western continental Europe.

"In line with this, temperatures could climb above or even well above average, particularly in the south and south-east of the country. Additionally, a drier and calmer spell may return. Scotland and perhaps Northern Ireland could remain somewhat wetter and windier, with slightly cooler conditions."