UK Fourth Heatwave to Hit 54 Areas by Late July, Maps Show

Temperatures will exceed 30C across large parts of England on Sunday, July 26, according to WXCharts weather maps, signalling the UK's fourth heatwave of the year before the end of July.

Current Heatwave and Record-Equalling Days

Britons are currently enduring the third heatwave of 2026, now in its ninth day. On Monday, temperatures peaked at 30.1C in Hurn, Dorset, marking the ninth consecutive day that 30C has been exceeded somewhere in the country. This July heatwave has already surpassed the second heatwave of 2026, which lasted seven days in June, though June's event was more intense due to a 'heat dome' that brought record-breaking temperatures.

So far in 2026, there have been 24 days—consecutive and non-consecutive—when temperatures have exceeded 30C somewhere in the UK: seven in May, eight in June, and nine in July. This equals the number of 30C-plus days in 1976, a year remembered for its severe heatwave and drought conditions.

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Forecast for the Next Heatwave

According to the Met Office, temperatures will drop through the end of this week and into next week. However, longer-range weather maps from WXCharts indicate that temperatures could reach the heatwave threshold in several places from Friday, July 24, before intensifying over the following weekend. Highs of 32C are forecast for Sunday, July 26, and Monday, July 27.

On Sunday, July 26, WXCharts maps show 30C to 32C temperatures across central and southern England, the Midlands, parts of Wales, the North West, and Yorkshire. On Monday, July 27, temperatures will again top 30C across London, the east of England, the Midlands, and parts of Yorkshire.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkall said on the Met Office YouTube channel: "Temperatures will start to drop a little, so it won't be quite as hot. For many places, highs will ease into the high 20s, with 30C less likely on Friday than earlier in the week." He added: "Temperatures are set to drop a little further on Saturday, though it should stay dry."

2026 Heat Records and Comparisons

With a month and a half of summer still to come, 2026 has some way to go to reach the record set in 1995, when the UK experienced 34 days of 30C-plus temperatures. However, 2026 is already the first year to record temperatures of 35C or higher on six separate days and has seen a record nine days above 34C.

The Met Office stated that the current heatwave is expected to continue for much of the UK this week, with temperatures peaking on Wednesday at possible highs of 33C in some parts of southern-central England. Temperatures are set to ease by the second half of the week, dipping to the mid to high-20s for many by Saturday.