As it has already been discussed in our previous forecast, this Friday, July 31st, will bring an extreme heat to parts of western Europe. France could hit 38-42 °C in many areas, Benelux should peak around 36-37 °C and England reaching 31-33 degrees Celsius. This will be, so far, the hottest day of the year!
The upper-level pattern is building up an omega blocking ridge from south-central Europe towards the west. This will bring hot weather with the building surface high-pressure system, bringing much warmer air mass with southerly winds from France.
Here are the likely peak temperatures across western Europe this Friday:
Possibly 40-42 °C in parts of France
It appears likely the highest temperatures will be reached in central France. Various models are hinting the peak temperatures could push above 40 °C on Friday. The most aggressive models are hinting up to +42 °C locally. It will be very hot in most of France, the upper 30s also in the south.
Up to +33 °C in southern England
London Heathrow airport reached +32.6 °C in June, but it is likely we will be seeing a shy higher temperature this Friday. Southeast parts of the country could peak around 33-34 °C locally. Up to nearly 30 °C in the Midlands and northern England. Around mid-20s across part of Scotland.
Up to around +37 °C in Benelux
While the ridge axis and the hottest air mass stays over France, the extreme heat should also extend into part of Benelux. Especially central Belgium could locally see 36-38 °C peak temperatures on Friday.
Well above +40 °C in Spain
Let’s not forget about the Iberian peninsula. Models are hinting that temperatures may well exceed 40 °C in parts of southern Spain! Potentially also in extreme southeast Portugal.
However, the heatwave will be very short-lived. As on late Saturday and Sunday, much cooler conditions will spread from the Atlantic and extend into next week.
See our previous discussion on this event:
And also the overall discussion on the developing heatwave across large part of Europe: