Britain is expected to see a record 35th day of temperatures reaching 30C this year, as a sixth heatwave could engulf the country in the coming days.
Should a 35th day occur – predicted to hit next week – it would break the record set in 1995.
Despite thunderstorms and cooler air reducing temperatures in recent days, the Met Office has warned that the south and south-eastern parts of the UK could see “very warm or hot” spells over the weekend and into next week.
Another heatwave could be on the way; however, forecasters have said it is “too early” to be sure of the details, but “temperatures are likely to be higher than average” for many areas.
The Met Office’s long-term forecast said there is a “greater chance of thundery interludes” in southern and eastern areas compared to recent weeks, but any rainfall is likely to be “quite variable” and “relatively little”.
“For the most part, temperatures look to remain above average, especially in the South, and perhaps turning very warm or hot,” it added.
Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: “It’s looking pretty dry (for southern England).
“Later on Sunday we could just get a few showers coming down from the North West. But the rain’s weakening as it comes into the South East.
“Even for the second half of the month, it is suggested that rainfall totals are more likely to be below normal than above, with the potential for further spells of hot weather at times as well.
“So nothing significant on the horizon for the South East.”
Rain is expected across Scotland over the weekend; however, the rest of the UK will see a continuation of the warm and dry weather that has enforced drought on millions across Britain.
Official drought status is currently declared across London, Hertfordshire, East Anglia, Thames Valley, the West Midlands, Wessex, the South Coast, the South West, and the entire nation of Wales.
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Last month was the driest England and Wales have ever been since records began almost two centuries ago, the Met Office confirmed.
England had a mere 6.5mm of rainfall while Wales recorded a measly 9.3mm in July, which is less than half of the previous records set.
Some places in England recorded less than 1mm of rainfall during the whole month.
Farmers have warned that yield from harvests this year will be “very, very poor” due to the lack of rainfall.
The Chief Executive of the National Farmers Union, Tom Bradshaw, said: “Harvest yields are looking poor, farmers are struggling to access water to irrigate fruit and vegetables and livestock farmers are having to use grass they cut this spring for their stores of winter feed for cattle, as there’s very little grass growing now.
“If this summer teaches us anything, it is that we must prioritise food production.
“This means urgent action to bolster our water security and ensuring our food security is treated as a vital part of our nation’s critical infrastructure.”
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