UK Forecasters Predict Potential Return of Heatwaves Following Record Dry July

Parts of the UK may experience another spell of very warm or hot weather, according to forecasts from the Met Office. This potential return to heatwave conditions comes after July 2026 was provisionally recorded as the driest July on record for England and Wales. Southern England specifically experienced its driest month ever recorded, receiving only 1.9mm of rain, which is 3 percent of its long term average.

Short term forecasts indicate a temporary cooling trend. Temperatures are expected to drop to average levels on Wednesday and Thursday, with London potentially reaching 22C and Glasgow 17C. While rainfall and thundery showers are forecast for Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and northern England, southern England is likely to see little to no significant rain. A yellow thunderstorm warning is currently in place for parts of Scotland.

Looking ahead to August, the Met Office suggests that temperatures will likely remain above average, particularly in the south. While the beginning of the month may be changeable with some rain, high pressure is expected to dominate from mid to late August. This pattern suggests that rainfall totals will likely be below normal and further spells of hot weather or heatwaves are possible. The extreme weather this summer has already included record breaking heatwaves in May and June, which led to more than 2,800 excess deaths and fueled wildfires in areas such as the Cairngorms and Dunwich, Suffolk.