The RAC estimates that 14.1 million motorists will make journeys for holidays or day trips between Friday and Sunday, the second highest total since the organization began tracking data in 2016. Most schools in England and Wales have broken up for the summer holidays this week or will do so early next week, while the academic year has already ended in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Busiest Day on Roads
The RAC predicts Saturday will be the busiest day for getaway journeys, with 3.8 million trips planned, while Friday and Sunday are each expected to see an estimated 3.4 million. The Port of Dover expects about 7,500 outbound cars on Friday, rising to nearly 10,000 on Saturday. The RAC warns that south-west and north-west England are likely to see the most leisure traffic.
Temperature Drop Expected
On Friday, temperatures in the UK exceeded 30°C for the 13th consecutive day, with 31°C recorded at Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, according to the Met Office. However, temperatures are expected to drop slightly over the weekend. Saturday’s highs are forecast to reach around 24°C in London and Cardiff, 21°C in Manchester, and 23°C in Glasgow, with similar temperatures expected on Sunday.
This year has seen 28 days when 30°C has been exceeded somewhere in the UK—seven in May, eight in June, and 13 in July. The record for the number of 30°C-plus days in a calendar year is 34, set in 1995.
Wildfire Risk and Rainfall Deficit
National Resilience data shows that nearly 499 wildfires have been recorded across England and Wales between January 1 and July 16. While this is below the 748 seen at the same point last year, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) says wildfire activity remains significantly higher than in recent years. By comparison, 81 wildfires were recorded by mid-July in 2024, 242 in 2023, and 400 in 2022.
Central and south-east England have experienced the longest unbroken spell of no recorded rainfall this century, according to Met Office figures. An average of zero rainfall was measured across the organisation’s weather stations in both regions for 14 consecutive days from July 2 to July 15. This is the longest dry spell for south-east England since a 15-day period in April 1997, and for central England since a 14-day run in June 1996. Data for July 16 has yet to be published, but the rain-free spells may extend further.
Drought Conditions and Water Restrictions
Reservoir storage levels in England are currently at 79%, around five percentage points below the long-term average for this time of year, the Environment Agency reported in its weekly dry weather and drought update on Friday. Six reservoirs are classified as having “notably low” levels, including Wimbleball in Somerset, Grafham in Cambridgeshire, and Hanningfield in Essex, while Blagdon reservoir in Somerset is deemed “exceptionally low.”
Several hosepipe bans have already been announced for large areas of southern England as water supplies come under strain. No areas of England are currently in drought, but the Environment Agency is “increasing its drought response activities,” and the National Drought Group is scheduled to meet on July 20.
Public Urged to Prevent Wildfires
The NFCC is urging the public to “play their part” in reducing wildfire risk. An NFCC spokesperson said: “Parents and carers can also help by talking to children and young people about fire safety and the importance of respecting the outdoors. Most wildfires are preventable. By making simple, responsible choices, we can all help protect our communities, wildlife, and natural spaces, while easing the pressure on firefighters who have already worked tirelessly to keep people safe this summer.”
Firefighters across the country have dealt with numerous wildfires this summer. Scientists warn that the UK’s weather is changing as human-driven climate change disrupts global rainfall patterns, leading to increasingly dry conditions. After successive heatwaves and a record warm spring for England and Wales, vegetation has become dry, meaning even a single spark can quickly develop into a fast-moving wildfire, the NFCC said, adding that the risk of further significant incidents remains for the coming weeks.
