Even though temperatures have dropped this week, the weather is predicted to ramp up again in just a couple of days. WXCharts map indicates that parts of the UK could reach temperatures up to 40 °C on July 14.

The forecast suggests that the West Midlands could see the highest temperatures reaching up to 39C. According to the weather charts, East Midlands, as well as eastern England, could see a rise up to 37C or 38C.

South West and South East of England are set to see temperatures in the mid to high 30s, with London hitting 35C. Wales is set to see temperatures of up to 38C in areas that border England,

that while July 14 is set to be the next hottest day, warm and sunny spells are set to remain for around a week from July 11 to July 18, according to weather maps.

The Met Office's extended forecast covering Wednesday, July 9 through to Friday, July 18 states: "A broad northwest/southeast split in the weather looks most likely through much of this period. Towards the northwest, Atlantic frontal systems will bring occasional rain and cloudier skies at times, along with breezier conditions, though there should be some drier, brighter interludes too.

"Further south and east, high pressure will likely dominate with a fair amount of dry and sunny weather to be had. With this, there is a signal for increasing heat and humidity and the potential for another period of hot weather around the second weekend of July, and possibly lasting into the following week. Whilst a lot of dry weather is likely in the south, thunderstorms are possible at times, though widespread rainfall looks unlikely."

Weather experts say July will have 'higher temperatures than normal' but as August arrives, there could be unsettled weather coming.

A road traffic collision has led to a Coventry road being blocked in both directions. The incident has taken place on Caludon Park Avenue near Ansty Road.

Traffic reports online say that the road is closed in both directions. Details surrounding the collision are not yet known.

But drivers are being warned that they face 'major disruption'. West Midlands Roads has posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that emergency services are at the scene.

It also warns motorists to 'Consider other routes as part of your journey'. According to live traffic website Inrix, Caludon Park Avenue is closed in both directions from A4600 Ansty Road to Farren Road.

CoventryLive has contacted West Midlands Ambulance Service about the incident. We will bring updates as soon as we have them.

This is a liveblog so you can keep up to date with the latest in the comments below

Traffic website Inrix has reported that the road remains closed.

It follows the collision just before midday.

Traffic is said to be 'coping well'.

The full West Midlands Ambulance Service statement reads:

We were called to reports of an RTC at the junction of Ansty Road and Caludon Park Avenue in Coventry just before midday. Two ambulances attended the scene where, on arrival, crews found a car and a motorbike had been involved in a collision.

One man, the passenger on the motorbike, was treated for injuries not believed to be serious and conveyed to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire

A man, who was a passenger on the motorbike, was found to be injured.

West Midlands Ambulance Service say that the passenger was treated for injuries not believed to be serious.

He was then taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire for more treatment.

West Midlands Ambulance Service has confirmed it has responded to a collision between a car and a motorbike.

999 calls were made to report the collision just before midday.

Two ambulances were sent to the scene.

The post on X, formerly known as Twitter, details the road collision and urges that there is 'major disruption'.

It adds that Caludon Park Avenue near Ansty Road is closed in both directions.

Traffic is being urged to avoid the area.

A 'cutting edge' new travel system could potentially 'revolutionise' public transport in the West Midlands.

Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood visited Coventry to see Very Light Rail (VLR) - a project developed in the West Midlands - in operation as part of Better Transport Week.

A 220-metre city-centre demonstrator track, to assess the new tram system in a real world setting, was laid in a few weeks and has been giving free rides for the past month.

READ MORE:

VLR is a mass-transit system that can be built at less than half the cost and in half the time of conventional tram systems, while providing the same benefits.

The scheme is led by Coventry City Council and funded through the West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.

Partners in the development of the new technology include WMG at Warwick University and the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre at BCIMO in .

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said: "This is a proud moment for the West Midlands, demonstrating our global leadership in transport innovation.

"This successful trial of our cutting-edge tram technology, designed and developed right here in the region, paves the way for the quick delivery of a network in Coventry and has the potential to revolutionise public transport for millions worldwide."

Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood said: "Coventry’s Very Light Rail project shows how innovative approaches to transport ideas can drive growth, create high-skilled jobs, and breathe new life into our towns and cities.

"Better Transport Week highlights how government backing is transforming transport, helping local economies thrive, supporting jobs, and connecting people to opportunity – all part of delivering our Plan for Change."

Ben Plowden, chief executive of Campaign for Better Transport, added: "Good public transport networks help connect us to the people we love, the things we need and the places that matter.

"Tram and light rail networks are key to an accessible, affordable, integrated and green public transport network."

Councillor Jim O'Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration, and climate change at Coventry City Council, said the new system had the potential to change how people move around small to medium sized cities.

He said: "The feedback from the public and technical representatives has been incredible.

"We aren’t just piloting technology; we are building confidence in a scalable model that puts climate, community, and cost-effectiveness at the heart of urban mobility.

"This system will create jobs for local people and this is just the beginning of our plans to put Very Light Rail at the heart of the growing green economy here in Coventry."

Thousands of Brits are facing an abrupt end to the balmy conditions that have lasted for weeks as a massive wall of rain sweeps towards the UK.

According to weather maps, a 850-mile-wide band of rain will blanket Britain on May 23 - covering from Cornwall's Land's End all the way up to the North Sea and threatening to dampen spirits as the spring, the driest in over a century so far, continues.

At midnight on May 23, forecasters warn western areas of the country including west Wales, Belfast and Scotland will be severely hit with major English cities expected to be impacted just six hours later.

The UK has only seen 80.6mm of rain so far this year - a remarkable 20mm lower than the full season record set in 1852, with 100.7mm.

A Met Office spokesperson said, "At the moment, the indications are that as we move towards the end of next week, we could start to see some more changeable conditions moving in from the west, which would bring some fresh temperatures and potentially something in the way of measurable rain."

"There are a couple of spells where we might see some very light showers at times in places over the next week or so, but nothing meaningful.

"And obviously sectors such as agriculture are really looking now for some meaningful rain."

West Midlands weather forecast

Headline:

Staying dry and often sunny. Warm days and cool nights.

Another widely fine day to come and after any early morning mist and patchy cloud has cleared, blue skies and unbroken sunshine is likely. Feeling warm in the light winds and strong sunshine with high UV levels. Maximum temperature 23 °C.

Staying sunny and warm into this evening, then clear skies at first overnight. Probably turning cloudier through the early hours, and therefore not as chilly as last night. Minimum temperature 5 °C.

A cloudy and cool start for many with some sunshine in western areas. Gradually brightening up with plenty of strong sunshine developing by the afternoon. Feeling warm with light winds. Maximum temperature 21 °C.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

Most places remaining dry through this period. Whilst some cloud is likely at times, there'll also be plenty of warm sunshine. Small chance of isolated showers on Monday and Tuesday.

Updated: 05:00 (UTC+1) on Fri 16 May 2025

Most of the UK will be fine with sunny spells during the first part of this period. A few showers are possible in the south at first but otherwise the majority of places will be dry. Temperatures are likely to be above normal for the time of year. Into the bank holiday weekend and following week, a change in weather type is expected. More unsettled conditions are likely to develop, with weather systems moving in from the Atlantic. This will bring spells of rain to many areas, perhaps heavy at times, with a risk of strong winds in places. Some drier and brighter intervals are likely between systems. Temperatures will probably be near normal or slightly above.

Updated: 15:00 (UTC+1) on Thu 15 May 2025

Changeable weather conditions are expected during the end of May and into the first half of June. Spells of wet weather with showers or longer spells of rain are likely to be interspersed with drier, sunnier periods. Overall, it will likely be wettest in the west and driest in the east. Temperatures will probably average out around normal, although some very warm or hot spells are possible.

Updated: 16:00 (UTC+1) on Thu 15 May 2025

The University of Warwick was named the top university within the West Midlands in the 2026 Complete University Guide. Warwick was placed ninth in the guide, climbing one place from 2024 and placing the university sixth within the Russell Group.

The next two highest-ranked universities within the West Midlands were the University of Birmingham, at 14th, and Aston, at 44th. Coventry, at 58th, climbed nine places from last year.

The Complete University Guide ranks 130 universities in the UK. It considers several factors, including research quality, student satisfaction, and graduate prospects, and provides valuable insights from prospective students and stakeholders.

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The University of Warwick received an 83 percent overall score, with entry standards at 78%, student satisfaction at 79%, research quality at 86%, and graduate prospects at 85%. The top spots in this year's guide went to Cambridge, Oxford, and the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Warwick, Professor Stuart Croft, said: "This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff, students, and wider community. At Warwick, we are committed to academic excellence, innovation, and creating a supportive environment where talent can thrive, and it’s fantastic to see that commitment recognised at a regional and national level, especially in our 60 ^th anniversary year."

The Complete University Guide publishes the league tables to help aspiring students make informed choices about their future, including late decisions and clearing options.

Chair of the Complete University Guide Advisory Board, Professor Amanda Chetwynd, added: "Congratulations to The University of Warwick for securing the top spot in this year’s West Midlands Complete University Guide rankings and to all Universities in the region for supporting their students to achieve their ambitions.

Our regional tables show the strength and quality of Higher Education throughout the UK. Whether making early choices or preparing for Clearing, our university and subject league tables, along with regional insights, are here to help students navigate one of the most important decisions of their lives.”

To see the rankings on the Complete University Guide, click here.

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