UK Heatwave to End as Temperatures Drop This Weekend

The fifth heatwave of the year in the UK is coming to an end as temperatures are forecast to drop significantly this weekend. Thursday marked the hottest day of 2026 so far, with a temperature of 38.1C recorded at Kew Gardens. By the end of the weekend, temperatures are expected to fall by 10 to 15 degrees Celsius in many areas, bringing them closer to the seasonal average. While some spots in south east England may remain within heatwave thresholds of 27 or 28C on Saturday, much of the UK will see highs between 16C and 24C.

This period of extreme heat has had severe impacts, including raging wildfires, transport delays, and an increase in heat related deaths. Approximately 70 percent of England and Wales are in drought, and 27 million people are under water use restrictions. Friday marked the 39th day this year that somewhere in the UK hit 30C or higher, breaking the previous record of 30 days set in 1995. Provisional Met Office data indicates the UK is on track for its hottest summer since records began, with the mean temperature for meteorological summer currently 1.88C above the 1991 to 2020 average.

A cold front moving south eastwards is responsible for the cooling trend and an increased chance of rain. While some forecasts suggest cooler and more changeable weather will continue through August, other Met Office projections indicate that temperatures may remain above average next week, with the possibility of another heatwave developing toward the end of the month.

Reporting on the event differs slightly in focus. A center leaning source frames the event as a clear signal of rapidly changing climate, emphasizing the record breaking frequency of extreme heat days. A center left leaning source focuses more on the immediate environmental and logistical toll, highlighting the drought statistics and water restrictions.