Britain's sixth heatwave of the summer will peak at 36°C on Thursday before heavy rain arrives, according to the Met Office. Downpours are expected to hit 50 council districts across the UK by the weekend, with Scotland bearing the brunt.
Heatwave Builds Through the Week
Temperatures will climb from peaks of 27°C–29°C on Monday to 30°C on Tuesday, reaching 32°C–34°C on Wednesday. The mercury will hit its highest point at 36°C on Thursday in East Anglia and south-east England.
Mike Silverstone, the Met Office's deputy chief forecaster, said: "After a brief dip on Monday, high pressure will move across the UK before settling to the east, allowing a southerly flow to develop."
Widespread Heat and Health Alerts
"A fairly widespread heatwave is likely across large parts of England and Wales, with hot conditions developing in places," Silverstone added. "The heat is expected to peak for much of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland on Wednesday, with up to 34°C possible in parts of central and southern England and southeast Wales."
Most of England remains under a yellow heat health alert from the UK Health Security Agency until Wednesday. The Met Office advises applying sunscreen, staying hydrated, avoiding prolonged sun exposure during the hottest periods, and checking on vulnerable people.
Rain Arrives Thursday, Spreading South
Heavy downpours will batter some areas on Thursday morning, creating a north-south divide. While temperatures exceed 30°C south of Ashington in north-east England, northern regions will see substantial rainfall. Scotland's Highlands could see over an inch of rain by 7am on Thursday.
This triggers sporadic rainfall across the UK, with weekend downpours affecting 50 council districts: 30 in Scotland, 11 in Northern Ireland, five in England, and four in Wales. The heaviest rain will hit Scotland's Borders, where up to 8mm could fall in an hour.
Council Areas Affected
Affected areas include most of Scotland's council regions, from Aberdeenshire to West Lothian, plus Northern Ireland's districts such as Belfast and Derry City and Strabane. In Wales, Conwy, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, and Pembrokeshire will see rain, while England's Cornwall, County Durham, Cumberland, Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear are also on the list.
