Advanced weather forecasting maps indicate that temperatures in the UK could soon surge back above 30C, potentially marking the fourth heatwave of the year. The UK is currently experiencing its third heatwave of 2026, with southern areas expected to remain above 30C until the weekend.
Current Heatwave and Expected Cool Down
Met Office forecasters anticipate that temperatures will drop over the weekend, with highs of 26C in southern areas and 24C in the north on Sunday. This would likely bring an official end to the current heatwave. However, weather models suggest that temperatures will rise into the 30s once again shortly after.
The GFS model shows highs of 30C and 31C in eastern, western, and southern England next Thursday. For next Friday, the maps indicate highs of 32C are possible in southern and south-eastern regions, with 31C in western areas.
Potential Fourth Heatwave Next Weekend
Conditions are expected to intensify on Saturday next week. The GFS model predicts potential highs of 35C in southern and south-eastern England, with 33C and 34C widely across central areas. Highs of 32C could reach as far north as Yorkshire, and Wales may see up to 30C.
Temperature anomaly maps for next Saturday show large parts of England and Wales shaded in deep red, indicating temperatures well above the seasonal average. In contrast, parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland are shaded in blue, where temperatures are expected to be below average.
17 Counties at 34C or More
The GFS model maps reveal that 17 counties in England could see temperatures of 34C or more next week. These counties are: Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Kent, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire.
Met Office Forecast
David Hayter, the Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist, said: “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. However, we are still likely to see some locations remain in heatwave conditions to finish [this] week.”
Although the Met Office expects the weather to cool off this weekend, forecasters say conditions will likely turn “very warm again in parts of the south” before the following weekend. There is also a risk of thunderstorms towards the end of next week.
