For most of England and Wales the third heatwave of the year ended last weekend when cooler air arrived, dropping maximum temperatures widely to 20-24C.
However, two locations – Usk and Exeter – have continued to just reach their heatwave criteria since then and have now reached 20 consecutive days – the longest run so far this year.
As temperatures drop further over the weekend, and parts of the UK see a little rain, even these local heatwaves are likely to come to an end.
However, it may only be a temporary break.
Next week, high pressure is set to build close to the south of the UK meaning rain-bearing weather fronts will stall.
Any wet weather will become confined to northern and western areas – especially north-west Scotland – and in southern parts of the UK temperatures look set to climb once again.
This could well mean a fourth heatwave is on the cards – although according to the Met Office isolated high temperatures might not be enough.
They say that: “If only one or two stations reach heatwave criteria, that would not be defined as a heatwave.”
