The Met Office has described the coming days as a "hot and humid" spell, but the heat is not expected to last long, with scattered thundery downpours also on the forecast.
Many parts of the UK are set to hit their heatwave thresholds, with temperatures forecast to reach 33C in 18 named areas on Monday, August 3.
Areas forecast to hit 33C
The 18 areas forecast to reach 33C are:
- London
- Bromley
- Reading
- Slough
- Westerham
- Maidstone
- Guildford
- Hounslow
- High Wycombe
- Watford
- Dartford
- Tunbridge Wells
- Uckfield
- Crawley
- Basingstoke
- Newbury
- Oxford
- Bicester
In Greater Manchester, temperatures are set to reach 29C on Monday, after 25C on Sunday and 25C on Tuesday. That would meet the heatwave criteria of three or more consecutive days at 25C or higher, making it the region's fourth heatwave.
Drought and water demand
Rain would likely be welcome, as large parts of the UK are in drought after weeks of dry and hot weather, with water restrictions in force for millions of people. United Utilities, which supplies water to Greater Manchester and north west England, has urged customers to "use water wisely" but said it has no plans to enforce restrictions.
"There are no plans for any restrictions in the North West," a United Utilities spokesperson said. "And our reservoir levels are where we would expect them to be for this time of year, thanks to a wetter-than-average start to 2026."
"However, the recent hot weather has driven record demand. At the peak of the heatwave, we supplied more than 2 billion litres of water a day across the North West – around 200 million litres more than usual, the equivalent of adding a city the size of Liverpool to our daily demand."
United Utilities added: "While we're in a strong position, we always encourage customers to use water wisely, as a few small changes can make a big difference in helping to ensure there's enough water for everyone throughout the summer."
Impact of the heatwave
The UK endured its fourth heatwave of the summer last week, with temperatures topping 35C. Health authorities have warned that England is on track this year for the highest number of deaths caused by such hot spells since current figures began.
The Met Office forecast for north west England between Monday and Wednesday describes the weather becoming "very warm and humid."
"Turning very warm and humid from Monday with an increasing chance of showers," the forecast reads. "These potentially heavy and thundery at times. Feeling very warm in the sunny spells and light winds."
Other parts of the UK, particularly in the south of England, could surpass 30C, with 33C forecast in London and surrounding areas on Monday.
