Londoners are enjoying some relief from this summer's punishing heatwave temperatures, but the Met Office's long-range forecast suggests another heatwave could be on the way in September.
Last week's searing heat saw 38.1C recorded at Kew Gardens on Thursday - the hottest UK temperature of the year, followed by a high of 34C on Friday. Temperature highs of 26C were observed in London on Saturday and Sunday, with similar levels of heat expected on Monday and Tuesday, according to the Met Office.
Drought and wildfire risk persist
More than 70 per cent of the country is now in drought following a record dry July, and an August that has so far seen just 5 per cent of expected rainfall. London's parks have been turned into "tinderbox" parched lands where wildfires can easily spread.
Sir Sadiq Khan has urged Londoners to create fire breaks in their gardens to protect their homes, while the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has also warned of the dangers that major blazes could start in people's gardens. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has urged retailers to withdraw disposable barbecues from sale in an effort to prevent wildfires as he warned extreme heat conditions "could be with us for some weeks yet".
More than 1,000 wildfires have been recorded in England and Wales this year, according to data shared by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), the same as last year's record-breaking total. Huge fires caused "apocalyptic scenes" in the West Midlands on Thursday, with a blaze in Stourbridge leading to a child and three firefighters being taken to hospital. West Midlands Fire Service said 19 houses have been fully destroyed and 18 damaged by the blaze, and the incident is estimated to involve about 40 acres of land, including a wood.
What's next for London's weather?
According to the Met Office, highs of 26C are expected on Monday and Tuesday before cooler conditions sweep the capital, with maximum temperatures dropping to 20C this weekend. A heatwave in London is defined as at least three days of 28C or higher. So it looks like there will be no immediate return to heatwave conditions in the capital. Following weeks of zero rainfall in parts of London, forecasters are predicting showers in the days ahead.
The Met Office's long-range forecast does hold out the possibility of more heatwaves in London. The forecast for the period August 31 - September 15 says there is likely to be a northwest/southeast split. "There is a chance that late season hot spells or heatwaves develop, especially in the south," it says. So while the extremely high temperatures are over for now, there is a chance London will see a sixth heatwave in 2026.
