The Met Office has announced that the current heatwave gripping the UK is set to last for at least another seven to 10 days, with temperatures continuing to soar. The country has experienced temperatures above 30C for 11 consecutive days, and 2026 has become the first year on record to reach 35C in May, June, and July.
Current Conditions and Forecast
Met Office spokesman Graham Madge stated: "The settled and fine conditions people are currently enjoying looks locked in for the next seven to 10 days and is likely to remain strongly." On Wednesday, the thermometer hit 30.5C in Hurn, Dorset. The weekend ahead is expected to bring plenty of sunshine and dry weather, though isolated showers and a slight dip in temperatures are possible. It remains uncertain whether the heatwave will extend beyond the next 10 days into the end of July.
Record-Breaking Temperatures
David Hayter, the Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist, noted: "Every day for the last 11 days somewhere in the UK has seen temperatures reach or exceed 30C. The high pressure – which has brought this prolonged fine spell – will continue for the next week or so at least, but will shift enough to enable a more northerly flow that will introduce a cooler feel that will end the run of 30C days." He added: "However, we are still likely to see some locations remain in heatwave conditions to finish the week."
Summer Heatwave Patterns
Hayter explained: "July and August are the main months in the UK for heatwaves. Having had three significant heatwaves in the UK already this year and very little rainfall for many, dry soils could provide less resistance to daytime heating, again challenging heatwave criteria into the second half of the summer." The classification of a heatwave depends on whether temperatures exceed 28C in London or 25C for the rest of the country for three consecutive days.
Regional Temperature Variations
England has been particularly warm, with mean temperatures currently 2.4C above the average of 21C expected for this time of year. Wales is sitting 2.2C above its average of around 19.3C. Scotland and Northern Ireland have remained closer to their seasonal norms of 17.3C and 18.6C, respectively, but are still running above average at 0.9C and 1.3C above.
Unprecedented Summer Start
Met Office science manager Amy Doherty commented: "We’re only halfway through summer, yet 2026 has already delivered more days above 30C than the whole of 1976 and become the first year on record to reach 35C in May, June and July. What stands out most, however, is that the warmth has not been confined to the daytime, with overnight temperatures tracking at record levels for this stage of the season. The high humidity so far this summer has also been unusual, making conditions particularly uncomfortable. Taken together, these statistics make 2026 one of the most remarkable starts to a UK summer in our records."
