UK weather: Exact moment blistering 28C European heatwave finally reaches Britain-new maps

New UK weather maps suggest Britain may be basking in sunny and warm weather before the end of the month. Britain has been plagued by cold and damp weather in recent weeks, with rain battering the country for days on end.

But new maps by WXCharts, which uses data from MetDesk, show the blistering temperatures that have been roasting the European continent over the past weeks may spill over to southern England in two weeks.

One map suggests maximum temperatures will spike to 28C in some areas of southern England on the evening of July 23.

The map shows England coloured in hot red up to Leeds, with temperatures in the area in the lower 20C.

On that day, the heat will be more acute in southern England, with London, Hertfordshire and Surrey in particular to experience temperatures in the high 20C, the map shows.

Temperatures in Wales and Cornwall will be in the 18C-20C range, the map suggests, while Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England seem unlikely to experience temperatures hotter than 16C.

The temperatures are likely to remain high also on July 24, another map suggests, showing southern England coloured in red similarly to other European areas.

In its long-range forecast covering the last week of July and the first of August, the Met Office concurs temperatures may be above average at the end of the month. However, stressing the predictability of long-range forecasts at this time of the year is "low", the weather service added that unsettled spells may hit the UK.

The forecast read: "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."

Met Office five-day forecast

Tuesday:

Areas of rain, locally heavy will continue to 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.