The Met Office has issued its long-range forecast for the UK, indicating that above-normal temperatures and possible hot spells are likely during the school holidays. This follows the UK's third heatwave of 2026.
Short-Term Forecast: Fine and Sunny Spells
According to the Met Office, Saturday is expected to be "largely fine with bright or sunny spells, most prolonged in the far west." Isolated showers may occur, possibly turning thundery, but temperatures will be less hot than in recent days.
From Sunday through Tuesday, conditions should "remain fine and dry with sunny spells," although some rain is possible in the north.
Mid-Range Outlook: July 21 to July 30
Looking ahead to the period from July 21 to July 30, the Met Office forecasts "initially predominantly dry with large sunny spells away from the northwest where cooler, cloudier and wetter conditions are most likely." Southern areas may see isolated showers, and it should become "very warm again in parts of the south" before the weekend of July 24 and 25, which "introduces a more widely unsettled and showery period."
Toward the end of the month, forecasters note that "uncertainty increases, but potentially returning to a drier, settled and warm period, in the south especially."
Extended Forecast: July 31 to August 14
In its outlook for Friday, July 31, through to Friday, August 14, the Met Office predicts a "somewhat more changeable period" with some showers, though "temperatures are likely to be above normal with some hot spells possible."
