UK weather: Exact date heatwave maps turn orange covering 3 entire regions in England

UK weather maps have pinpointed the exact date when a blast of heat will hit the country, turning three regions orange as it kicks up temperatures ahead of another anticipated heatwave.

Rain and cloud have fallen across Britain this week, with the gloomier conditions marking a near-complete reversal from the 30C highs and wall-to-wall sunshine that reigned just days ago. Temperatures have declined at the same time, with some areas 10C cooler on average compared to last week.

The Met Office characterises the latest forecast movement as "unsettled and changeable", adding that cloud and rain will likely remain the dominant pattern in the medium term. Recent weather maps suggest that could all change within the next two weeks, with temperatures seemingly set to surge once more.

Charts posted by forecasters at Netweather show that, early this month, some of that late June heat could start lapping at the coast from Europe. From July 10, the map shows three regions turning orange as temperatures are pushed into the 20C range again, with the southeast particularly affected by conditions in France and beyond.

Eastern England, Southeast England and London could see temperatures reach between 20C and 23C by then, with the heat expected to remain for the following few days. Maps covering July 16 suggest that the mercury will stick in the 20C range, but primarily in southeastern England, where highs look set to remain around 21C.

The Met Office long-range forecast covering the same period - July 8 to 17 - lays out a similar picture, stating the recent gloom will give way for the average July heat. The forecast states: The unsettled and changeable theme is expected to continue through the majority of this period.

"Cloud and rain-bearing systems will cross the UK from the west or southwest at times, accompanied by periods of stronger winds, but there are likely to be drier interludes too, with the best of the more settled weather in the east. With a generally southerly wind direction, temperatures are expected to rise back to the July norm from the cool beginning to the week, with the potential for wafts of warm continental air to affect the southeast at times."

The forecast adds: "Into the second week, there are tentative signs that conditions could gradually become a bit more settled, though temperatures are likely to remain around average overall."