Britain is set to swelter in its fourth heatwave of the summer this week as temperatures rocket back over 30C, sparking new drought warnings and urgent advice over water safety. Wetter weather is expected across much of the country today, with some regions seeing their first rainfall in several weeks, but this is set to be short lived, according to the Met Office.
Heatwave Temperatures and Forecast
Forecasts show the mercury climbing to 29C by Tuesday afternoon and a scorching 32C on Wednesday in the southeast, while peaking at 26C in Wales, the Midlands and the north of England. Highs of 22C are forecast towards the Borders and Scotland, where cloudy, windier conditions will dominate.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Dan Suri said: "After a prolonged spell of hot, dry and settled weather, some will see a temporary change this weekend as weather fronts move south-east across the UK. While some areas, particularly in the north and west, will see rain and showers, many places are likely to receive relatively little rainfall. For much of southern England, dry conditions are expected to remain the dominant feature, with temperatures recovering quickly next week and the potential for very warm or locally hot weather to return."
Drought and Water Safety
The fourth heatwave of the summer comes as reservoirs and rivers drop to 'worryingly' low levels, triggering a wave of drought warnings and hosepipe bans last week from water companies. There have been at least 35 drowning deaths in open water in England since May 2026. The Mirror has launched its Save Lives For Sam water safety campaign this summer, calling for urgent action to stop further tragedies, including compulsory water safety lessons in schools and a public information campaign.
Lee Pooley, Head of Safety at Paddle UK, said: "Offshore winds are incredibly deceptive because the water near the shoreline often looks perfectly calm, flat, and inviting. However, the moment you paddle out, a breeze blowing from the land can rapidly sweep a paddleboarder out to sea faster than they can paddle back. Our rescue data with the RNLI consistently shows that offshore winds are a primary cause of emergency callouts. We strongly advise everyone to check the weather and wind direction before heading out, and if the wind is blowing away from the shore, do not go."
Cooler Outlook Ahead
Temperatures are expected to drop towards next weekend due to cooler air from the North Atlantic, with some rain forecast.
