UK hot weather: New maps turn red as Britain to finally be blasted by 28C Iberian plume

Despite summer seemingly being missing in action this year, there is hope on the horizon in the shape of a surging plume of 28C heat forecast in new weather maps.

Predictions from WXCharts and Netweather.tv both show a large body of warm air moving up from the Iberian peninsula around July 22 and 23.

Temperatures could skyrocket from the tame mid-teens up to around 28C in some areas, especially in the south and in London.

The wall of warm weather is likely to reach as far as Yorkshire, but Scotland and Northern Ireland will still remain chillier than average for this time of year.

According to Netweather.tv and the Met Office temperatures for the end of July are likely to be "above normal", with Netweather.tv adding high pressure to the north of the UK could draw in warm air from above Spain and Portugal.

It said: "It again looks probable that pressure will be above average to the east and north-east of Britain, which means that southerly winds may be more frequent than average for the time of year, bringing potential for some hot weather, perhaps greater potential for it to turn hot than earlier in the forecast period.

"As a result, it looks probable that temperatures will be above normal overall, but there is considerable uncertainty over the extent of the positive temperature anomaly."

The Met Office predictions for later this month said there was a chance for a "prolonged settled spell" of weather developing.

The national weather agency said: "As can often be the case at this time of year, predictability at this range is low.

"There are some signs of a slightly greater than normal chance of a more prolonged settled spell developing at some point during the period, at least for a time, and perhaps more likely in the south.

"However, by the same token further, perhaps shorter, unsettled interludes are probable too. Above average temperatures overall, and drier than average conditions overall, are very slightly favoured."

As well as a temperature spike on July 22 and 23, it also looks likely another higher band of temperatures could be enjoyed around July 17 giving some brief respite from a decidedly un-summery start to the school holidays.

Met Office five-day forecast

Today:

Sunny spells and showers will continue across northern areas. Further south, after a dry start, it will turn wet and windy from the southwest, with some heavier bursts reaching Devon and Cornwall during the evening. Feeling warm in any sunshine.

Tonight:

Showers across the north will ease with clear spells developing. Cloud and rain across the south spreading northwards, reaching northern England and Northern Ireland by dawn.

Tuesday:

Areas of rain, locally heavy will move northeastwards, skies brightening from the south with heavy showers developing in places. Temperatures near average but feeling warm in the sunshine.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Remaining unsettled as low pressure tracks northwards Wednesday. Further outbreaks of rain likely Thursday but some warm sunny spells around too. Similar on Friday, perhaps turning drier from the west.